Artworks Alliance

In this episode of the ArtWorks Alliance podcast, Rob Watson is joined by Anna Taylor, co-director at In-Situ Arts , to explore the values, practices, and tensions that shape a long-standing commitment to socially engaged art in Pendle, Lancashire. Their conversation moves beyond familiar labels—community arts, participatory arts, socially engaged practice—to reflect on how creative work unfolds w...

In this conversation, Rob Watson speaks with cultural policy thinker and writer Justin O’Connor about the ideas behind his book Culture is Not an Industry , and what they mean for artists, policymakers and communities engaged in participatory and community-based practice. They begin by locating the personal and political moment from which the book emerged. Justin is Professor of Cultural Economy a...

What makes a story resonate? How do we communicate the value of participatory arts in ways that build public understanding and policy support? These were some of the key questions explored in the latest ArtWorks Alliance podcast, featuring a conversation between Rob Watson and Kate Stanley of FrameWorks UK. Kate, Director of FrameWorks UK , introduced the organisation’s work in evidence-based comm...

Trauma-informed practice is crucial for participatory arts, as it ensures that art projects are safe, inclusive, and supportive spaces for all participants, especially those who have experienced trauma. It aligns with the broader goals of participatory arts to empower communities, promote cultural democracy, and facilitate personal and social transformation through creative expression. The insight...

Welcome to the latest episode of the ArtWorks Alliance Podcast, hosted by Rob Watson. In this conversation, Rob is joined by Anita Holford and Sarah Longfield, two professionals with extensive experience in participatory and community arts. Anita Holford is a freelance communications practitioner, copywriter, and editor dedicated to making music and the arts more accessible. She collaborates with...

In this episode of the ArtWorks Alliance podcast, host Adrian Sinclair welcomes three visionary members of the Resolve Collective—Melissa Haniff, Akil Scafe-Smith, and Seth Scafe-Smith—for a compelling discussion on the theme of “crossing boundaries.” This conversation delves into the heart of Resolve Collective’s interdisciplinary design practice and their innovative approach to...

In this episode of the ArtWorks Alliance podcast, Rob Watson chats with David Richmond, the key figure behind Arts in Development . Dave provides an overview of Arts in Development, an initiative focused on nurturing and empowering artists through community-based practices. He highlights the importance of creating supportive environments where artists can thrive. A central theme in Dave’s wo...

Louise Bretland-Treharne grew up in a small village called Cribyn near Lampeter in Ceredigion. Louise now lives in Johnstown on the outskirts of Carmarthen town. She is a writer, storyteller and poet living with Ataxia and other medical conditions which involve cognitive changes. Louise is also in recovery from womb cancer.   Louise’s writing is based on many themes, such as raisin...

Today’s conversation at the ArtWorks Alliance member’s online drop-in focussed on Participative Arts and Inclusion for People with Disabilities. Taking part in the conversation were Rebecca Manson-Jones, Amanda Castro, Rob Watson, Bill Taylor-Beales, Emma Long, Sarah-Jane Mason and Rob Watson. We discussed the need to recognise support, facilitate, empower and inspire people with disab...

In the first ArtWorks Alliance podcast, Jade Sturrock from Glasgow Can, Bill Taylor-Beales from Hushland Creative and Rob Watson from Decentered Media, chatted about the potential of participatory arts to transform learning and education by pursuing the potential for ‘positive disruption’ that participatory arts represents. Ken Robinson videos: Does Education Kill Creativity? Changing...