Creative Diversity: How Equalities can Inspire New Directions

Artist Development Day
Creative Diversity: How equalities can inspire new directions

A session to be inspired and explore how diversity can influence and expand your practice, with further opportunity to experiment with digital tools for art, design and craft.

Join us from 11.30 – 4.30pm, Thursday 16 January for a unique event in partnership with The Design Suite at Adam Smith Theatre, where creativity meets cutting-edge technology.

Ever wondered what Equalities, Diversity & Inclusion monitoring was for?
EDI is a common term used in many funding application forms, but what does it actually mean? And how can consideration for equality and inclusion inspire new creative directions? Whether you’re curious to learn how you can make your practice more inclusive, understand what sort of barriers exist, or how these challenges can bring an imaginative influence to approaches and methods of making, join us at the Design Suite to learn together. You’ll learn about the ins and outs of EDI, as well as experience a descriptive, guided walk with artist Juliana Capes and unravel the mysteries of how to write an Access Statement (and find out what they are!) in a practical session with artist Heather Marshall.

Artist Talks: Juliana Capes & Heather Marshall
If the idea of exploring inclusion to inspire your creative process ignites your curiosity, come and hear from two artists who traverse diversity to produce their artworks. There will be two artist talks and two practical workshops.

Lunch Break:
After the talks, enjoy a break with lunch, refreshments and a chance to mingle. This is your time to connect with fellow creatives, exchange ideas, and start thinking about how exploring diversity could expand your own practice.

Hands-On Workshop Demos: 3D Printing & Laser Cutting:
The day will unfold in the Design Suite where you are also invited to get inducted into using the space for future visits. In the afternoon, we will be offering two workshops to demystify the world of digital fabrication, guiding you through live demonstrations of the 3D printer and laser cutter. These demos will give you a clear understanding of how these powerful tools work, sparking ideas on how you might use them in your own projects. Workshops are limited to 12 people, so early booking is essential. This is a fantastic opportunity to get up close with the equipment and gain the confidence to start using it in your own work.

Booking Options:
You can choose to attend just the Artist Talks & Lunch, or opt for the full experience with both the Talks and the Design Suite Inductions. These will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to reserve your spot early! *Catering for specific dietary requirements may not be possible for bookings made after Monday 6th January 2025*

Tickets are £10, with an actual cost of £98 per person. You will be refunded £5 of your ticket on the day on your arrival.