Putting Theory into Practice: Imagining our Future in Cultural Work

This 4-part in-person event series invites practitioners and researchers committed to a sustainable and diverse cultural sector to share their careers and experiences.

It is hosted by MA Global Creative and Cultural Industries students, Philipp Schütz and Natasha Natarajan, and made possible by the SOAS School of Arts who will generously be providing refreshments for all the events.

Any questions please contact: [email protected]

1. Wednesday 11th May 2022, 16:00-18:00

Panel discussion with researchers Anamik Saha and Oli Mould chaired by Caspar Melville

************************************

Anamik Saha is a researcher of race and media at Goldsmiths University. His focus is on the cultural industries and issues of ‘diversity’. His books, Race and the Cultural Industries (2018) and Race, Culture and Media (2021), have become part of the SOAS School of Arts canon and his writing and research has featured across a range of media, including BBC Radio, The Guardian, TES and The New Statesman.

We’re excited to hear more about how he thinks research and/or policy might move the ‘diversity’ discourse forward and how we should think about these issues in our careers.

************************************

Oli Mould is a British lecturer in human geography at Royal Holloway. His research, and writing, focuses on the role of urban creativity, activism, and politics. In his books, Against Creativity (2018) and Seven Ethics Against Capitalism: Towards a Planetary Commons (2021), he compellingly denounces contemporary ‘creativity’ and neoliberalism, and proposes an entirely new politics for the future. A 2022 piece he co-wrote asks: ‘Mutual aid: can community fridges bring anarchist politics to the mainstream?'

We want to hear more about community fridges and the ethics and activism he imagines for the future. What role does research have and what can we do as young professionals?

************************************

Caspar Melville is a familiar member of the SOAS School of Arts faculty. He is co-chair of the Centre for Creative Industries, Media and Screen Studies and senior lecturer in Global Creative and Cultural Industries.

Though Caspar is currently on research leave, leading a project on 'Mapping UK Jazz', he has kindly agreed to host this panel discussion. He, Oli, and Anamik are not only colleagues but friends and Caspar will bring this camaraderie and his extensive knowledge of the Creative and Cultural Industries discipline to our discussion.

2. Wednesday 18th May 2022, 16:00-18:00

In conversation with Creative Programmer and Cultural Strategist, Adem Holness FRSA

www.ademholness.com

************************************

Adem Holness is a Creative Programmer, Cultural Strategist, and Relationship Manager for Arts Council England’s music department. He is passionate about platforming diverse artists and supporting grassroots music venues and promoters. His career boasts a vast and prestigious array of arts consulting and programming in the UK. Most recently he travelled to SXSW 2022 to speak on a panel about ‘The Dope Black British Jazz Landscape'.

How did he get here and what advice does he have for us? We think this will be a real treat for those interested in understanding the different professional roles the cultural industries has to offer and what a successful portfolio career can look like in 2022. No doubt he will also have invaluable insight about Britain's underground music scenes.

3. Wednesday 1st June 2022, 16:00-18:00

In conversation with the founder of Addis Fine Art, Rakeb Sile

addisfineart.com

************************************

Rakeb Sile founded the gallery Addis Fine Art with Mesai Haieleul in 2016. It is the first white-cube gallery space for modern and contemporary art in Ethiopia. In October 2021, Rakeb and Mesai expanded to London Fitzrovia making Addis Fine Art one of only a few black-owned galleries in London. Through these spaces, Rakeb and Mesai are connecting local and diasporic Ethiopian artists with global audiences and collectors.

What is it like to run an international arts business out of London? What are meaningful ways to commercially present African arts in a Western context? This event will be an exciting opportunity for those seeking to work in the fine arts sector and a chance to explore the rising international appreciation of contemporary African Art.

4. Wednesday 8th June 2022, 16:00-18:00

In conversation with the founder of Filmanthropy, Fisayo Fadahunsi

www.filmanthropy.co.uk

************************************

Fisayo Fadahunsi is a storyteller that uses multimedia to uncover and share the human condition. Following a degree in Politics and International Relations, she spent years as a Freelance Broadcast Journalist, working across popular news outlets like The Guardian, BBC, ITV and more. Aged 24, she founded the production company, Filmanthropy, to bridge this media expertise with her passion for social justice. Through Filmanthropy, she promotes the use of creative media as a tool for social change by using participatory video creation and unique community-based workshops to empower marginalised communities.

How can we expand access to the arts? How can we transition from corporate work to self-initiated passion-driven work and still make a living? We're looking forward to hearing about Fisayo’s journey running her own organisation.