FOTF @ NSCD
- Cat Cookman
- Jan 20
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 29
January has been a busy month already for Friends of the Future. On the 8th we attended the Northern School of Contemporary Dance annual conference which was on the brilliant theme: Igniting Creativity: Art, Education, Transformation and Change.
Friends of the Future Director, Dr John Cussans, gave a very well-attended and wonderfully insightful talk on “Reimagining Arts Education” – diving into the art education landscape and raising some interesting thoughts on where it needs to go next.
We also hosted a Friends of the Future Round Table, with some brilliant participants, to explore the themes of creative health and the role it has to play in today’s society.
We discussed a number of themes during this interactive session including:
How do we align Arts Education with the Creative Health Agenda?
Why are students continuing to choose arts degrees despite its lack of profitability and chronic government under-funding?
What is the difference between mental health and wellbeing as understood by Artists?
Humans are social mammals that biologically need interaction and connection. Art is a human need - as illustrated in the oldest piece of artistic representation that was discovered from the ice age 40,000 years ago.
Where is the evidence to show art is good for mental health? And how to we leverage this to counter resistance from those who doubt its healing power?
The importance of a safe space for art to take place in.
Oppression leads to mind/body disconnect and leads to mental health issues. Tension in the body causes physical and mental pain. Rhythm is a form of self expression and self soothing.
Dance/Art as an act of rebellion in times of oppression. Art as ACTIVISM!
Is the suppression of the arts tactical? The oppressors fear connection. Art connects us to ourselves and each other.
How popular forms of resistance e.g. carnival or pride marches - focus on collective joy that undoes some of the 'othering'. Humanity + Resistance + Joy.
As a 'Creative Therapist' or using Arts as a career - what do you need? Community, support & education.
How can we take matters into our own hands? How can we keep it about the power of art and not just the 'consumption and monetisation' of art?
It certainly was a thought-provoking chat, with many ideas to inspire and shape what Friends of the Future Collective CIC does next.
Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who got involved in the discussion and to those who signed up to our mailing list ♥️♥️
If you want to subscribe too - you'll find a box to pop your email in at the bottom of our website. Or head to our contact page and send us a message.
Here's a short reel from the day:
