Project delivery

How to: core approaches 

Working with local ‘anchors’ – organisations in cultural, voluntary and social sectors, local authority functions, businesses, groups, ambassadors – helps arts activity benefit from established relationships and trust in a locality. Where these were perhaps in need of strengthening, a huge part of the value of Creative People and Places has been bringing people together to work together on an action research project with learning embedded in.

Using the principles of Human centred design has been important to making change within a place. The iterative development and built-in engagement opens up decision-making to potentially marginalised groups and encourages ownership of the issues and the solutions.

An asset-based approach, starting with people and places, has generally been more productive than filling perceived deficits. 

Confidence is essential within a place that wants to change be that confidence to go and see things people may not be familiar with, or confidence to take part in a community panel deciding which of a shortlist of artists is commissioned, Build appropriate levels of capacity and skills, step by step, with the professional team sharing expertise openly and freely – but not overwhelmingly. 

Take time to discuss what each group or place means by quality and excellence to build a solid foundation for change, rooted in shared values. Make sure you consider the potential imbalances in confidence and power within any group.

Create conditions and habits of dialogue that is supportive and challenging and encourages openness to different views and approaches.

Being flexible and consistent about core purpose, values and methods has been vital to Creative People and Places and has been shown to build trust and enable a risk-taking ‘positive error culture’ in places.

The programmes delivered have been hugely various – and those with multiple entry and exit points for different types of need have been most beneficial. There is no one-size-fits-all.

Dig deeper

• Power Up by Chrissie Tiller looks at Power Up the complexities and challenges of sharing power
• Considering Co-Creation, compiled by Heart of Glass and Battersea Arts Centre is a through look at the range of approaches to co-creation in Creative People and Places and elsewhere.
• A case study of Creative Black Country’s Desi Pubs partnership with the Midlands Pubs Association shows one approach to working in non-traditional settings.
• A range of partnerships can be seen in case studies produced as part of Transported’s evaluation work.