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Open Plan Symposium: Contemporary Art in Communities
Sat 23 Nov 2024, 1-7pm

Children play on a playground in front of a large apartment building. Adults stand to the side talking.

Closing event on Pelican Estate for Angelica Teuta Open Plan residency, 2018, with Jessie Brennan, We Are Here, 2018, visible in background. Photo: Andy Stagg

Free, booking required

Open Plan has been South London Gallery’s flagship public art and learning programme since 2017.

Developed through a long-term collaboration with residents of the Elmington, Pelican, and Sceaux Gardens estates, the Open Plan programme has delivered an ambitious range of activities since its launch. From Art Block, SLG’s dedicated space for children and young people on Sceaux Gardens, to community celebrations and public art commissions by international artists, the programme has built on over a decade of SLG’s work with local residents.

As Open Plan draws to a close in October 2024, this symposium is an opportunity to share and reflect on key learnings and insights from the programme over the years. Presentations and discussions will include contributions from the Open Plan team, artists, residents, and research partner Shared Intelligence.

This free event is open to all. It will be of particular interest to artists, students, community leaders, museum and gallery professionals, and those working with socially engaged practice, place-based art, public art and creative health.

PROGRAMME

1-2PM – Enjoy a coffee and creative activities to get to know other attendees

2–2.20PM – Margot Heller, Director of the SLG and Paul Crook, Head of Communities & Learning at the SLG will introduce the Open Plan programme.

2.20-2.50PM Open Plan Report Presentation with Ben Lee and Manav Gupta from Shared Intelligence

3-4PM Presentations from artists and designers who have collaborated with residents on projects and commissions for Open Plan. Speakers include Seyi Adelekun, YARA + DAVINA, John Macedo and Ramsey Yassa on behalf of NOOMA Studio.

4.30-5PM Panel discussion with Polly South, Communities & Learning Manager at the SLG, Jahzel Newell Marshall, Communities & Learning Coordinator at the SLG, Emily Yendall, former Art Block participant, current Communities & Learning Assistant at the SLG, Dario Blake, Chair of the Pelican Tenants & Residents’ Association, and Rachael Harlow, Curator, formerly Project Curator at the SLG.

5-5.45PM Reflective workshops exploring key discussion points and collaborative ideas.

6-7PM Networking and Drinks

 

Take a look at some previous Open Plan projects:

ACCESS

  • Room will be dark at moments during the day for presentations
  • Wheelchair Access and/or Disabled Toilets are available at this site.
  • Please contact mail@southlondongallery.org with any additional access requirements.