OFFSHOOT Symposium: Cultivating connections – art, nature and place

Wednesday 28 October / 10am – 6.30pm / University of Salford / book your free ticket

Hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society, University of Salford and Open Eye Gallery, this one-day symposium brings together artists, commissioners, academics, funders, cultural organisations, environmental partners and public sector leaders to explore how cross-sector collaboration can create ambitious, place-based cultural projects.

Attendance is free but booking is required. 

Inspired by the OFFSHOOT partnership, the symposium will share learning from a multi-year collaboration that has embedded artists within RHS Garden Bridgewater through long-term residencies, research and community engagement. Together, the partners have commissioned four artists, engaged more than 400 participants in the creation of new work, presented five exhibitions across three North West venues, delivered a series of public talks with industry experts, and reached audiences of over 500,000 people.

Through panel discussions and facilitated roundtables, the symposium will explore the practicalities of commissioning artists beyond traditional cultural venues, developing long-term partnerships across the cultural, environmental and higher education sectors, and strengthening the evidence for the impact of creative work on people, place and nature.

The day is designed to encourage the exchange of ideas, experience and best practice, with a particular focus on sharing learning, championing long-term collaborative partnerships, broadening access to arts, heritage and nature, and building stronger connections between research, culture and the natural environment.

Whether you are developing commissions, shaping policy, undertaking research or delivering creative and environmental programmes, the symposium offers an opportunity to connect with peers, share expertise and contribute to the future of collaborative, place-based practice. The day will end with a drinks reception in the Yan Wang Preston: Memory Keepers exhibition at Salford Museum and Art Gallery, the final exhibition of the OFFSHOOT project.

Schedule

10.00: Meet & register

10.30: Welcome and introduction to the day. Lindsay Taylor, Director, University of Salford Art Collection; Daniel Atherton, Interpretation Manager – North, Royal Horticultural Society; Sarah Fisher, Executive Director, Open Eye Gallery

10.40: Panel One (New Adelphi Theatre). Commissioning for Place: Planning, Partnership and Practice. How artists, commissioners and organisations can work together to create ambitious, long-term projects in public spaces. Chair: Daniel Atherton, RHS. Panel: Yan Wang Preston, OFFSHOOT; Artist Ruth Haycock, Director, Co-create Culture; Gracie Divall, Art Fund

11.30 Round tables – choose one of the following:

Health and Wellbeing: The impact of creative practices in nature. Chair: Julie McCarthy, Strategic Lead, Creative Health, GMCA and NHS Greater Manchester

Cross regional collaborations: How can we be more connected? Chair: Darren Grice, Director of Culture, Salford City Council

12.30 Panel Two. Why nature and university sector knowledge and programmes are essential to the cultural sector in addressing sustainability. Chair: Sarah Fisher, Open Eye Gallery. Panel: Prof Mike Hardman, Chair of Urban Sustainability, University of Salford Feimatta Conteh, Senior Manager, Environmental Sustainability, Arts Council England

13.15 Lunch break (Tea and coffee served, lunch not provided)

14.15 Round tables – choose one of the following:

Inspiring young people: Routes into nature and cultural careers. Chair: Dr Caroline Edge, CoProgramme Leader BA (Hons) Photography

Creative commissioning in green spaces: What are the barriers and how do we overcome them? Chair: Daniel Atherton, RHS

15.15 Panel Three. Culture, nature and civic engagement. How can we harness our cultural and natural assets for the benefit of local people? Chair: Lindsay Taylor, University of Salford. Panel: Alyse Johnstone, volunteer, Salford Youth Service; Cllr Hannah Robinson Smith, Lead Member for Culture, Heritage, Sports and Leisure, Salford City Council; Dan Jarvis, Senior Relationship Manager, Arts Council England

16.00 Closing remarks: Daniel Atherton, Sarah Fisher, Lindsay Taylor.