Communities
Please note that this event has been rescheduled from 15 to 21 September.
An online series of talks looking into the role creativity has in the development of our places as part of The Stove Network’s kNOw One Place programme.
Un-earthing new perspectives on people and power, place, space, and practice, this series hosts some of the country’s most exciting artists, thinkers, and producers at the front line of social art, wellbeing, economy, activism, and community development. In each talk, our speakers will investigate the themes supporting creative placemaking* and its potential to influence change from the grassroots to the government.
*We define Creative Placemaking as: a community led approach that uses creative activity to support collective decision-making and positive change for people and the places they live.
- What nourishes and grows community?
- How do we build with the experiences and knowledge present in our places and bring in new skills in a way that benefits and adds to what is already there?
- How are multiple voices heard and represented in decision-making?
- Who is accountable to whom?
To get to the heart of this conversation we will be hearing from DJ, a Creative Community Development Consultant & Activist with over 25 years experience of grassroots delivery in the Youth & Community Development sector. DJ will be talking to us about her experiences in using creative radical approaches that ensure effective, meaningful and impactful community engagement/development; working with under-represented/disadvantaged communities, multidisciplinary practice, and the joys of connecting people with place.
DJ McDowall – Creative Community Development Consultant & Activist – The Imaginarium
A born and bred Gallovidian mischief maker, DJ nurtures kinship and transformative change. They have been a professional practitioner, consultant, and activist for nearly 30 years, instrumental in instigating and establishing long-running community initiatives, managed youth work services within Dumfries & Galloway Council for 22 years and co-founded Sleeping Giants CIC.
DJ’s most recent venture, The Imaginarium, works with communities to bring meaningful change by imagining radical new possibilities, and assisting in the creation of new realities.
Fusing the power of immersive storytelling around local heritage, and creative community engagement methodologies, they are currently on a quest to co-create exciting new opportunities to evoke a greater understanding of place, boost people’s sense of connection and community pride, and foster a greater sense of belonging.
All events will have BSL interpretation and captioning options for those that require it
