We are delighted to announce that a commitment to future collaboration has been marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Goldsmiths, University of London and Future Arts Centres.

Recognising shared priorities between Goldsmiths, known for its creative approach and rich arts history, and arts centres as community hubs and anchors in civic society, the partnership marks Goldsmiths’ and Future Arts Centres’ commitment to exploring pathways for mutually beneficial collaboration.

Exploring Creative Democracy

Collaboration in the first year of the partnership will focus on exploring the concept of ‘creative democracy,’ utilising the Future Arts Centres network and Goldsmiths’ research expertise. At a time when the public feeling of trust in institutions is acknowledged to be generally low, the concept of creative democracy asks how arts hubs can act as bridging spaces between communities and local government, acting as spaces to debate and drive social change through creativity around key issues
like the climate crisis.

Other opportunities for collaboration will include student placements, collaborative research projects, training and connections to the Goldsmiths curriculum. As a nationwide network, the collaboration with Future Arts Centres will allow researchers and students to better understand the wider cultural infrastructure across the country.

Future Arts Centres will also become an associate member of the Goldsmiths Civic University Agreement Partnership – a network of civic organisations focused on boosting the local and regional impact of Goldsmiths as a force for the public good. Future Arts Centres will join other local members, offering a unique national perspective by drawing on our network.

Our diverse membership, covering large and small institutions from Cornwall to the Shetland Islands, includes the Albany in Deptford, with which Goldsmiths has a longstanding connection.

Professor David Oswell, Interim Vice-Chancellor, Goldsmiths, University of London, said, “This agreement demonstrates Goldsmiths’ role in ensuring the value of the arts for local communities and for social good is recognised, and that arts initiatives which bring real benefits to community groups are supported to thrive.

“This exciting new partnership comes as we celebrate 120 years of creativity and commitment to social justice at Goldsmiths, and I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for this collaboration.”

Dr Michael Eades, Head of Civic Engagement at Goldsmiths, University of London, says, “Our Memorandum of Understanding with Future Arts Centres is an incredibly exciting development in our work as a civic university. Partnering with FAC connects us to a network of cultural civic anchor organisations right across the UK.

“Many of the issues that we are working to address locally are also being experienced in other places across the country and we hope that this partnership will represent a means to link our local efforts to a far wider national civic conversation. In an era of political division, this is a gesture of unity and collaboration.”

Gavin Barlow and Annabel Turpin, Co-Directors of Future Arts Centres, said, “This new partnership marks an exciting step in connecting Future Arts Centres and our network of 170 venues with a leading university that shares our commitment to culture, creativity and community. We look forward to exploring new ways of working together – from student placements to collaborative research – starting with an exploration of ‘creative democracy’ and its potential for impact on social policy.

“At a time when the civic role of arts centres has never been more important, this partnership offers a powerful opportunity to strengthen impact for both organisations locally, regionally and nationally.”