From classical music to outdoor arts, there's a sense of optimism, with organisations experimenting with new ways of working and putting collaboration at the heart of what they do. Here's what Anne Torreggiani, Jonathan Goodacre and Penny Mills took away from their time at these events.
Classical Music: Sharing Power and Centring People
Anne Torreggiani presented at and attended the ABO Conference and shares:
"I left this year's ABO conference feeling really energised. Although I didn't attend the whole thing, I could tell from conversations in the inbetween moments that I wasn't the only one. Outward-looking and future-facing, sessions obviously got everyone thinking about new ways of approaching old problems and sharing ideas about the challenges coming over the horizon, from devolution to climate change. It did what conferences these days really need to do and offered both inspiration and the opportunity to think collaboratively.
The session I took part in was brilliantly chaired by Kate Whitley of the Multi Story Orchestra, in conversation with Rising Arts' Euella Jackson – both organisations are pioneers in putting young people at the heart of decision-making - and me, talking about our research with organisations who are developing more a people-centred, co-creative approach. We dived straight into the subject at hand – the why and how of sharing power, to give more agency to new generations, new voices, our audiences and neighbours. It's a huge topic but Kate helped us get quickly to the heart of the matter, with the importance of collaborative leadership, transparent and deliberative processes through which people can be properly involved, and an experimental step-by-step approach all rising to the top.
It was heartening to hear from so many in the audience experimenting with more equitable ways of working. The conference finished on a high with a taster of Aurora Orchestra's Far, Far Away concerts which combine live instrumental music with storytelling. Fantastic to hear and feel real innovation in action. The future's looking bright for the classical music sector."
Outdoor Arts: Joy, Reflection and Belonging
Meanwhile, Jonathan Goodacre and Penny Mills headed to Cambridge for the Outdoor Arts UK Conference:
"There were 450 delegates at the conference, held for the first time in the city of Cambridge, demonstrating the size and importance of the sector. The theme of 'Change on our Streets' explored the importance of Outdoor Arts in public, civic and grassroots society. Its role as a sector able to engage with a wide-ranging public, as outlined over the years by The Audience Agency, is key to the possibility for change. This was a point also picked up in the presentation of the OAUK Sector Strategy, which includes as one of its four points – the need for evidence in making the case for Outdoor Arts. More than anything though, it was a welcome opportunity to catch up with old friends and find new ones, all working with some of the most exciting and dynamic art forms. The spirit of joy, reflection and belonging filtered through the conference, and is reflected in the new Outdoor Arts UK strategy."
Different artforms, different cities, but similar takeaways. Whether it's orchestras or street theatre, the cultural sector is alive with experimentation, determined to meet the challenges ahead by working more collaboratively and putting people – audiences, communities, young voices – at the centre.
