Systems change with Fun Palaces

It's always exciting to be in at the beginning of something new, and especially so when it's to explore a new stream of work alongside an organisation you already know and admire. No surprise, then, that I'm thrilled to be part of the new Fun Palaces Makers' network for the coming 5 years, with a specific remit to explore systems change for community-rooted creative and activist movements.

I've been a long term participant, champion and ambassador for Fun Palaces, a year-long campaign for cultural democracy, and a weekend of action every October. I originally got to know them (and inspirational founders Stella Duffy and Sarah-Jane Rawlings) in my tenure as Interim Scotland Director for Creative Lives. I went on to be a founding Maker of Stirling's Fun Palace (which is now brilliant hosted by the Macrobert Arts Centre team), and have first-hand experience of the ways that the Fun Palaces approach to cultural democracy can bring people together, power-up local activism, and launch new initiatives.

Fun Palaces is now at the beginning of a new era, under the brilliant leadership of Amie Taylor. Supported by funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, Fun Palaces have launched a new Makers’ Network to look through the history of Fun Palaces, celebrate the reach of the campaign and look forward to the future. I'll be working with that network, and with the wider community of Fun Palaces Makers around the world, to consider how local action can drive broader social change. And in turn, how strategic and policy initiative might support (and learn from) the brilliance and creativity within our communities.

Two initial network meetings in Blackburn and Birmingham have already been filled with ideas and inspiration. Together, the network is fuelling a really exciting programme of work to embed cultural democracy at the heart of our places, and in the ways we recognise, support and enable community-led social action.