About Civic Futures
Civic Futures is a programme which experiments in collective leadership and learning, delivered in partnership between Koreo, Dark Matter Labs, the Young Foundation, and the Greater London Authority (GLA). Commissioned by GLA, the project brings together a vibrant mixture of activists, artists, funders, curators, educators, organisers, connectors, technologists, carers, archivists, and more from across London's civil society, the project starts with the question: how we can build shared wisdom in making the transition to a better future for London?
As part of Civic Futures, fellows work together to explore personal and collective inquiries, experimenting with new ways of acting and being in community with others in pursuit of social change. As part of the cohort 2021-22, Joon-Lynn Goh, Co-Director of Migrants in Culture, and David McEwen, Co-Director of Unit 38, explored the role of imagination and lived-experience leadership in civic change. Both interviewed migrant leaders, and Joon-Lynn observed and worked in dialogue with a number of GLA projects, including Mayor of London’s Borough of Culture in Lewisham, 2.8 Million Minds and New Town Culture, which resulted in a Learning Lab in collaboration with Counterpoint Arts. The following 3 texts share unique insights, tools and approaches to creative stewardship.
A City ‘Que Puede’ - Dialogues on Migrant Infrastructures and Imagining a New City
Inspired by ideas of sanctuary, how can we create new urban imaginaries for the city? A series of dialogues, followed by principles and avenues for action.
The stewardship of our city requires us to practice the
most creative collaborations between interdisciplinary
agents, including artists, organisers, council workers,
policy makers and funders.
Radically Imagining Our City - Questions to ask as we steward in creative collaboration
Through real-life case studies, Joon-Lynn explores the role of creativity and lived experience leadership in transforming policy-design, service delivery and community engagement in local governance. She offers six prompts for city stewards: How are we - Creating spaces for play and speculation?; Bringing our whole selves to leadership?; Telling stories that hold us in relationship?; Building collaborations across civic silos?; Finding creativity in the technicality?; and Stewarding for long-term transformation?
I didn't think change was me coming in and bringing the change with me, it was already there, we just needed to see where it is and link it together.
Catalysts for Change - Learning from our Artists for Change Programme
How can collaboration between artists and local government teams address complex issues and inform & drive policy change? Artists of Change was part of the London Borough of Culture 2022 initiative, a collaboration with Counterpoints Arts, and it sought to integrate socially engaged art practice with crucial public services. Rachel and Dijana share the learning that has come out of this project, rich with illustrated notes.
Find out more about the Civic Futures programme. Applications for the fourth fellowship cohort are open until 22 January 2024. Contact us with any questions by emailing [email protected].