is an international community arts conference for community arts activists, artists, community workers, and policy makers. Organised by the Community Arts Forum in conjunction with the Belfast Festival at Queen’s, NICVA and the Rural Community Network.
Conference Venue - Belfast Waterfront Hall
Friday
8:00 am - 2:00pm Registration
9:30am Opening Gerri Moriarty, conference chair
Transforming communities through the arts: access, participation, authorship, and ownership Arts in the context of conflict: what are we learning? Transforming the arts through communities: sustainability, connections, interdependence
Moyra Donaldson, Belfast poet and writer
Jennifer Williams, executive director of the Centre for Creative Communities, London.
11:00 am - 12:30 pm Session 1: Perspectives
Consider the challenges of introducing change through community arts within very different contexts in Northern Ireland, the United States and South Africa.
Speakers: Linda Frye Burnham, writer, artist and activist, Community Arts Network, USA Gerard Hagg, director, the Flemish South African Community Arts Centres project, South Africa Other speaker to be confirmed
12:30 - 1:15 pm
Breakout session: Sharing your community context
Swap insights and learn about the varied contexts within which delegates from around the world practise community arts
1:15 - 2:15 pm Lunch
2:15 - 3:15 pm Session 2: Transforming communities through the arts: access, participation, authorship, ownership
Innovative approaches to community arts work in Northern Ireland
Speakers:Conor Shields, programme director, New Belfast Community Arts Initiative
Antoni Gabarre Gonzáles, director, Programa Pintamuro, Jerez, Spain
David Boyd, director, Beat Initiative, Belfast
3:30 pm Buses Depart for Community Centres
3:45 - 5:45pm
Spotlights 1: interactive workshops and panels
Board a conference bus to visit a community centre in north, south, east or west Belfast.
Explore the conference themes in greater depth through an interactive workshop or panel, then relax and enjoy a buffet meal in the centre. Workshops will be held in the Indian Community Centre, Conway Mill, Farset International, Morton Community Centre, Dee Street Community Centre and Mount Vernon Community Centre
5:45 - 6:30pm Buffet Meal at Community Centres
Optional evening activities
6:30pm Return by bus to the city centre to join in the opening parade of Belfast Festival at Queen’s led by Sarruga from Spain and the Beat Initiative
8:00pm The Belfast Festival at Queen's Opening Concert in Waterfront Hall
Saturday
8:00am - 12:00pm Registration
9:30 - 11:00am Session 3: Arts in the context of conflict: What are we learning? Explore issues of ethics, identity and memory through arts in conflict situations
Speakers:Gerri Moriarty, community artist and consultant
James Thompson, professor of applied and social theatre at the University of Manchester, director of the Centre for Applied Theatre Research, and director of the In Place of War project
Erishnee Naidu, senior educationalist and researcher at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, Transition and Reconciliation Programme
11: - 11:30 pm Break
11:30 - 12:30pm
Session 4: Divided histories, shared future
Reflect on the broader social and political context in which community arts is produced in Northern Ireland, balancing the impact of the conflict with issues of class, gender, ethnicity and sexuality in an increasing globalised world. Participate in a lively exchange about the Northern Ireland experience with local community activists and artists
Speaker:Robbie McVeigh, human rights activist and director of An Dúchán community research and evaluation services, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Panel to be confirmed
12:30 - 1:45pm Lunch: Taste of Belfast at St. George’s Market
Enjoy traditional Belfast hospitality provided by the specialty food vendors of Belfast’s restored Victorian market and browse through the market stalls.
1:45pm Buses Depart for Afternoon Showcase Sessions
2:00 - 4:00pm Spotlights 2: interactive workshops and panels
Choose from different locations and activities, for example:
Rhythm is it! Queen’s Film TheatreSee the amazing story of a stunning dance project with conductor, Simon Rattle, choreographer, Royston Maldoon, the Berliner Philharmoniker, and 250 Berlin children and teenagers of 25 different nationalities. First showing in Northern Ireland of this award-winning film. Includes panel discussion.
Additional workshops and activities showcasing innovative community arts practices from Northern Ireland and around the world to be confirmed
4:00pm Buses Depart for afternoon showcase sessions and hotels
4:15 - 6:15pm Spotlights 2: interactive workshops and panelsChoose from different locations and activities.
Circus Arts WorkshopHelp celebrate Belfast Community Circus School’s twentieth anniversary. Visit the purpose built venue and participate in a lively community circus workshop.
River Lagan boat tour and traditional music session
Other workshops and activities to be confirmed
6:15pm Buses depart for City Hall
6:30 - 7:30pm Welcome Reception, City Hall
Delegates are invited to Belfast’s historic and architecturally impressive City Hall for an opportunity to see some of the city’s political history.
7:30pm Buses depart for Indian Community Centre
8:00pm Conference Dinner - Indian Community CentrePerformance: The Humour of the Troubles According to Martin Lynch, with Martin Lynch
Sunday
9:30 - 12:00pm Registration
10:30-12:00 Session 5: Transforming the Arts Through Communities: sustainability, connections, interdependence
Hear about some remarkable projects that began at community level and have become powerful catalysts for change
Speakers:Katherine Zeserson, director of learning and participation, The Sage Gateshead, UK
Sean Paul O’Hare, Féile an Phobail, West Belfast Festival
Lab Ky Mo, independent filmmaker
12:00 - 2:00pm Networking lunch and roundtable discussions
2:00 - 3:30pm Keynote speaker Bill Strickland, Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, Pittsburgh PAThrough his work in an inner-city Pittsburgh neighbourhood, Bill Strickland is changing the way people see themselves, and transforming the concept of community arts in the US. The Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild includes arts programs that reach 2500 disadvantaged children, contemporary jazz recordings on the MCG label, job training programs, and an office complex.
3:30 - 4:30pm Closing Plenary
Participate with fellow delegates in a review of the conference. Conference feed-back provided by Bag-a-trix from Derry
source - http://www.caf.ie/conference
