Creative Conversations

The International Centre of Art for Social Change (ICASC) invites you to participate in two days of free public events, including a
presentation and dialogue with Arlene Goldbard, a world leader in the field of community cultural development. 

ICASC is calling on Metro Vancouver’s community-based artists and arts organizations, along with others from a variety of business,
health, law, academic and civil society sectors to take part in community conversations with each other and with Ms. Goldbard.
We hope to uncover and explore opportunities for alliances, partnerships, co-creations, dialogues and other shared platforms for positive social change.

2pm to 5pm:
The Field is Growing: A Regional Gathering of Show and Tell.
During the day, artists and arts organizations are invited to exhibit their materials, meet their peers, leave their mark on a mapping
session and present to the group a concise show-and-tell of their work. This session will also include a dialogue between Arlene, ICASC
Co-Director- Judith Marcuse and participants regarding how ICASC might best serve artists working in social change.

5pm to 7pm:
Matchmaking for Creative Solutions: Introductions across sectors.
Participate in a networking session with people from other sectors interested in learning about and possibly integrating arts for social
change into their work. Explore the role of art in creating social change in conversation with artists and professionals in the emerging field of art and social change together with other business, education, health, and community leaders.

7pm to 9pm:
Arlene Goldbard: A presentation and dialogue.  This informal gathering will be followed at 7pm by Arlene Goldbard’s presentation and dialogue: Datastan Meets Storyland: Surfing The Zeitgeist Without Wiping Out.

Why Art for Social Change:  As society grapples with complex issues, challenges and concerns, the arts are finding their way into education, business, government and many other areas. These arts-based processes help to expand and deepen knowledge, create insight and engagement, change behaviour, and create opportunities for cooperative enterprise.

Throughout the world, an increasing number of artists and social enterprises are working together to facilitate positive social change through art, whether the work explores issues of racism, facilitates conflict-resolution, educates about health and environmental issues, empowers women to assert their human rights, builds resiliency in youth-at-risk, empowers marginalized communities, creates effective public policy, celebrates local histories, or simply provides new opportunities for expression and dialogue.
Art practices are potent tools serving diverse agendas for social change by engaging people with issues and with each other in new, creative ways.

Why You Should Come: This is an opportunity to explore ideas and initiatives and contribute to creating connections, communication, relationships, and cooperative enterprise across the silos that often divide us as we address local and global challenges.

Guest speaker, Arlene Goldbard, is a writer, a consultant, and a leader in the field of cultural and community development. She works with arts, educational, community, and government organizations to encourage change through the arts.

Host, Judith Marcuse, has been creating art as a social force and a catalyst for change, marrying artistic excellence and social relevance in her contributions to Canadian dance and theatre.
The artists and arts organizations you will meet will have been exhibiting their materials during the day, meeting their peers, discussing their work, and engaging in conversation with Arlene and Judith about how ICASC might best serve artists working in social change.

The International Centre of Art for Social Change is a partnership between Judith Marcuse Projects and Simon Fraser University. ICASC will become a communications and learning centre to facilitate connections, relationships, and collaboration.
Join us to discuss how the International Centre of Art for Social Change could contribute to local and global opportunities through the arts.

Attendance is free, but space is limited.  Please RSVP to Vanessa Richards to confirm your attendance and/or participation.