Mark Robinson recently spoke at a session about resilience and diversity in arts practice at the Baltic.
Read the Thinking Practice blog for the full story, it raises some very important questions about resilient practice and considers why artists and arts organisations might, or might not, ascribe to partnership working. The poem used to summarise the event, by Kate Fox, uses brilliant metaphors about packing your case without knowing where you’re going; being willing to change clothes with others; the delights of buzzing around and irritating people, and the proposition that a swarm of mosquitoes might be needed to effect change. And moving outside your comfort zone to work with people outside the arts.
I truly believe that travelling/working with non-arts partners is an inspirational journey, crossing or ignoring boundaries, exploring the terrain and talking to people on the way is important.
I’d be happy to be in the swarm, would you?
Carolyn Black 