Recalibrating the White Cube as a Hub for Social Action

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A new form of practice is developing in which cultural organisations are transformed from white cubes to hubs for social action and learning. Focus extends from the showing of art to its creation, and the empowerment and agency of communities through enactive learning.

 

In this model the arts organisation acts as a catalyst for collaborative action and enquiry involving academia and a wider ecosystem of communities and stakeholders including the public, artists, digital creative industry, maker spaces and local government.

 

The new model entails embedding of research, innovation and arts practice within the arts organisation itself. We illustrate the approach with examples of projects spanning mental health, physical disability, young people, veterans, children and parents, which have had a real impact on health and well-being of our communities.