ASC Agency

???????? & ?????????????? ?????? ??????: ?? ?????????????????? - ???????? 2! “?????????????????? ???????? ?????????? ??????’?? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ????????????????????—???????? ???????? ???? ???????? ??????????????????, ??????????, ?????? ?????????????? ??????????.” Following our post last week, we're sharing some ?????? ?????????????????? from the project (to read the previous post, see here: https://lnkd.in/eajyNXA8) ASC Agency worked with partners across Islington to deliver consultations for the Islington Council's #ImagineIslington cultural strategy. This was a genuinely co-created project that asked some of the borough’s most disadvantaged residents what arts and culture mean to them. ?? ???????? ?????? ???? ??????????? Whilst this was delivered across one borough, the findings from the project resonate far beyond. Across and beyond the UK, people are finding a range of barriers accessing culture and creativity, highlighted in the previous post, and arts and cultural organisations can increase and transform participation through measures including: ? Breaking financial barriers: Free schemes, supported trips, and inclusive communication to all ? Bringing arts into communities: Outreach & workshops (such as those in this project) in familiar, trusted spaces - such as community spaces, libraries - unlocks participation. Engaging local community groups is vital ? Staff training and culture change: challenging and changing the discriminatory and stigmatising approach found in some cultural venues ? Empowering diverse leadership: representation from the communities or with lived experience in staff and facilitators inspire trust and authenticity, diversify organisations & provide opportunities. ? Co-creating strategies that evolve with community needs. ? More projects like this!: The co-created, outreach approach adopted for this project worked in identifying local barriers, solutions, acted as a first engagement for many participants, and an opportunity to increase participation Every area will have its own unique barriers, challenges and opportunities. But arts and culture is life-changing when it's accessible to everyone. ?????? ?????? ???????? ????????????, ???? ???????? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ???????? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ?????????????? ??????????????, ?????? ???? ?????????? To everyone who participated and supported this initiative—thank you for showing us what’s possible when we act together, including Union Chapel UK, HELP ON YOUR DOORSTEP, Single Homeless Project, Streets Kitchen, Change, Act!, Dan Boyden, Arts & Homelessness International, London Symphony Orchestra #InclusiveCulture #ArtsForChange #CulturalStrategy #EquityInTheArts #ArtsForSocialChange (Images: workshops held through the project)

???????? & ?????????????? ?????? ??????: ?? ?????????????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ???????? ?????? ?????????????? In 2023, ASC Agency worked with Islington Council and partners across the borough to deliver consultations for the borough's Imagine Islington cultural strategy. This was a genuinely co-created project that asked some of the borough’s most disadvantaged residents what arts and culture mean to them. Through 10 creative workshops, ASC Agency engaged over 80 participants — many with lived experiences of homelessness, poverty, and housing inequality. Facilitated by individuals with similar experiences, these sessions revealed profound insights into what 'culture' meant to people, the barriers people faced accessing creativity and culture, what makes arts and culture truly accessible. ?? ?????? ????????????????: ?? Barriers to participation include cost, anxiety, discrimination and prejudices of cultural spaces, wider life challenges, and lack of accessibility or transport. ?? People and communities thrive when arts and culture come to them—trusted spaces reduce anxiety and encourage participation. ?? The understanding of what 'culture' and 'being creative' is wide and diverse - from cooking, to gardening to gaming - and more standard definitions may in themselves be a barrier for some wanting to participate ?? Tailored, culturally relevant activities build stronger connections and foster belonging. ?? ???????? ????????????, ???????? ????????????: ?? "Being creative brings my imagination to life and helps me express who I really am." ?? "It’s hard to think about arts and culture when everyday life problems take over—but these workshops brought me out of my shell." ?? "I didn’t feel like attending anything before, but this felt safe, and now I feel more confident to try new things." ?? "Culture means knowing who you are and where you’re from—but also mixing with others to learn and share." ???????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ?????????? ????'???? ???? ?????????????? ???????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????????????????? ?????? ?????????????????????????????? ?????? ???????? ?????????????? - ?????????? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ???????? (?????? ?????? ???????? ???????????? ???? ???? ???????? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ????????, ?????? ???? ??????????) To everyone who participated, facilitated, and supported this initiative—thank you for showing us what’s possible when we act together. And thanks to the facilitators and organisations who supported this, including Union Chapel UK, HELP ON YOUR DOORSTEP, Single Homeless Project, Streets Kitchen, Change, Act!, Dan Boyden, Arts & Homelessness International , London Symphony Orchestra and others #InclusiveCulture #ArtsForChange #CulturalStrategy #EquityInTheArts #ArtsForSocialChange

???????? & ?????????????? ?????? ??????: ?? ?????????????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ???????? ?????? ?????????????? In 2023, ASC Agency worked with Islington Council and partners across the borough to deliver consultations for the borough's Imagine Islington cultural strategy. This was a genuinely co-created project that asked some of the borough’s most disadvantaged residents what arts and culture mean to them. Through 10 creative workshops, ASC Agency engaged over 80 participants — many with lived experiences of homelessness, poverty, and housing inequality. Facilitated by individuals with similar experiences, these sessions revealed profound insights into what 'culture' meant to people, the barriers people faced accessing creativity and culture, what makes arts and culture truly accessible. ?? ?????? ????????????????: ?? Barriers to participation include cost, anxiety, discrimination and prejudices of cultural spaces, wider life challenges, and lack of accessibility or transport. ?? People and communities thrive when arts and culture come to them—trusted spaces reduce anxiety and encourage participation. ?? The understanding of what 'culture' and 'being creative' is wide and diverse - from cooking, to gardening to gaming - and more standard definitions may in themselves be a barrier for some wanting to participate ?? Tailored, culturally relevant activities build stronger connections and foster belonging. ?? ???????? ????????????, ???????? ????????????: ?? "Being creative brings my imagination to life and helps me express who I really am." ?? "It’s hard to think about arts and culture when everyday life problems take over—but these workshops brought me out of my shell." ?? "I didn’t feel like attending anything before, but this felt safe, and now I feel more confident to try new things." ?? "Culture means knowing who you are and where you’re from—but also mixing with others to learn and share." ???????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ?????????? ????'???? ???? ?????????????? ???????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????????????????? ?????? ?????????????????????????????? ?????? ???????? ?????????????? - ?????????? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ???????? (?????? ?????? ???????? ???????????? ???? ???? ???????? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ????????, ?????? ???? ??????????) To everyone who participated, facilitated, and supported this initiative—thank you for showing us what’s possible when we act together. And thanks to the facilitators and organisations who supported this, including Union Chapel UK, HELP ON YOUR DOORSTEP, Single Homeless Project, Streets Kitchen, Change, Act!, Dan Boyden, Arts & Homelessness International , London Symphony Orchestra and others #InclusiveCulture #ArtsForChange #CulturalStrategy #EquityInTheArts #ArtsForSocialChange

A brilliant example of #ArtsForSocialChange ????

Enormously exciting to join Letters to the Earth for the 1st #LettersToTheEarth read through, and to launch our new #AudienceActivator. What actions will audiences be inspired to take?… #ArtsForSocialChange

It was a pleasure and privilege to be one of the judges for this year's Sheila McKechnie Foundation Campaigner Awards, alongside some amazing peers in campaigning (meet them here: https://lnkd.in/e6cSpiXb) The shortlisted campaigns were utterly inspiring (making the judging process that much more of a challenge). Find out all about them and join the final event on 15th May, in person or live-streamed ?? ?? #SMKAwards2024

'It secured global media coverage...it mounted pressure on the insurance sector...It also...brought an injection of joy, hope and inspiration at a time when many of us feel despondent in the face of the climate crisis and countless other injustices.' A brilliant blog from Maya Mailer at Mothers Rise Up & Our Kids' Climate for Sheila McKechnie Foundation highlighting wonderful and powerful examples of arts and creative tactics for social and cultural change addressing climate change ??