Creative and Civic Futures
Welcome to Creative and Civic Futures. This research theme, led by Dr Jenna Ashton, concerns issues of civic participation and structures, and the role of creativity – tools, concepts and practices – within this.
The Communications and Engagement Coordinator supporting this theme is Hazel Gardner.
Manchester is a creative and cultural capital, holding a vast international and wide-ranging community. This has allowed for Creative Manchester to be well placed for key research topics within this theme of Creative and Civic Futures, research that has developed significantly in recent years.
Research topics include notions of citizenship; community economies and development; place-making; modes of political leadership, collaboration and participation; city and town futures; regenerative design; social action and activisms; equality, justice and equity.
The following are examples of interdisciplinary projects addressing these issues in innovative ways.
The British Pop Archive
A national collection dedicated to the preservation and research of popular culture.
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Cottonopolis
A project exploring the robustness of moves towards diversity within the cultural sector during a time of crisis.
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Social and Cultural Inequalities
A project exploring the experiences of ethnically diverse workers during the pandemic.
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The Engine Room
A co-working digital hub for creatives.
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Theme Showcase
In 2024 the Creative and Civic futures theme presented a series of interdisciplinary Research Cafés, chaired by Dr Jenna Ashton, exploring the significance of non-human presence and agency in theory and practice for imagining Civic Futures. The videos are available to watch back below.