Derby Through Global Eyes

Supported by the British Council Catalyst Grant, UKNA and Jukwaa Arts Productions have been undertaking reciprocal scoping missions to establish a new global artistic community. During the Navigating the Present, Shaping the Future symposium in Derby, UKNA and Jukwaa Arts discuss the time spent in Kenya and Derby and the importance of intercultural dialogue and artists being on the global stage.

Joining the panel was Jarvis Brookfield, a UKNA alumnus and painter originally from Derby, now based in Leicester, along with Caroline Ngorobi, Founder and Producer of Jukwaa Arts Productions, and John Tsuma Mumba, Head of Artists at Jukwaa Arts Productions, both based in Mombasa, Kenya. The panel was led by Michelle Bowen, Director of UKNA.

Thriving as an Artist

UKNA Alumni artist Margomool shares their journey, offering practical insights on thriving as an artist. Through candid reflections, Margomool shared the challenges they encountered and the strategies they employed to navigate the competitive landscape of the music industry.

From the importance of self-care and maintaining authenticity to the power of collaboration and embracing failure as a stepping stone to growth, Margomool provided a comprehensive roadmap for aspiring artists seeking to navigate the complexities of the creative industry.

Technology and Artificial Intelligence in the Arts

With rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence and the emergence of the Metaverse, the creative sector stands on the brink of profound transformation. The rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence and blockchain technology presents both opportunities and challenges for artists.

Speakers Benedict Carpenter and Sam Tahmassebi opened conversations about how these developments may impact the authenticity of artists' narratives. Questions surrounding the preservation of the true value of artistic storytelling, copyright ownership, and the preservation of human touch in artwork emerged as central themes. As we look toward the future, considerations about artists' intellectual property rights and the preservation of artistic authenticity have become increasingly significant.

Breaking Down Barriers for Artists

UKNA's Creative ThinkTank collected anonymous narratives about the barriers and challenges they currently face to facilitate a discussion during the 2023 UKNA Symposium. From navigating the intricacies of parenthood, race, gender, age, and geography, to funding hurdles and evolving cultural landscapes, the stories collected aim to inspire change and shape the future of the creative sector. This session aims to share insights into problem-solving strategies, showcasing what these processes can entail. 

Hosted by members of the UKNA Creative ThinkTank: Hannaa Hamdache, Sarah Le Quang Sang, Ana Silverio, Hoyee Tse, and Gaynor Tutani.

UKNA Creative ThinkTank have produced a publication which summarises the findings and presents the results from the interactive presentation ‘Breaking Down Barriers for Artists’. Click the button below to view the publication.

Breaking Down Barriers for Arts in Society

Gain insights into navigating the complexities of art in society and explore pathways to break down barriers in the creative landscape. In this session, we explored Arts Council England’s ‘Let's Create’ strategy, examining its role and impact for new artists interested in socially engaged practice. Discussions centred around the importance of co-creation, best practices, and artist development, while also considering potential drawbacks such as the possibility of discouraging artists from creating purely for the sake of art.

The panel featured Ellen Ranson, Artist and Programme Coordinator for East Durham Creates, and Suzannah Bedford, Director of City Arts, Nottingham. The session was chaired by Vikki Jones, Talent Development Manager at UKNA.