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Just and Joyful: Movements for a more equitable arts sector

  • Nottingham Contemporary Weekday Cross Nottingham, England, NG1 2GB United Kingdom (map)

WHEN: Thursday 6 November, 2-6pm
WHERE: Nottingham Contemporary, Weekday Cross, NG1 2GB

BOOKING: Free, booking essential. Book here.

Gathering, sharing and workshops

We invite you to an afternoon of exchange and collective action — bringing together organisations committed to social justice in the arts. Together we’ll share practices that have sparked real change, learn from one another’s journeys, and imagine what a radically different future for the sector could look like. The day will focus on practical collaboration: how can we unite, and what commitments can we make together?

In 2023, Primary received funding from the Art Fund’s Reimagine Grant to support meaningful, sustained organisational change towards greater accessibility and inclusivity. Through this funding Primary:

  • Recruited a new Associate Curator from the global majority: Raghavi Chinnadurai, whose role began April 2024. In this role, Raghavi researched and developed the Kolam programme.

  • Undertook access audits and worked with three Critical Friends (2023–25) focusing on: Anti-racism; Supporting neurodiverse people in the arts; Staff recruitment & development; Digital programming.

  • Delivered staff and Board training on neurodiversity, access riders, mental health, and anti-racism.

As the Reimagine grant comes to an end, we are hosting a sector sharing event to reflect on the journey so far - acknowledging the ongoing nature of this work and need for further learning. This event will share learning from leaders, thinkers, and dreamers across the sector and connect with peers to ask: What does long-term allyship and advocacy for social justice in the arts look like?

We’re inviting participation from organisations and art-workers committed to social justice who want to:

  • Share initiatives that have led to tangible change.

  • Join practical workshops designed for collective action.

  • Co-create a sector-wide charter for change based on shared commitments.

Contributors include: Raghavi Chinnadurai (Primary), Arts Catalyst, Future Curators Programme, Grand Union and Ort Gallery.


Access: There will be BSL interpretation for the presentations. The event will take place in The Space, with breakout sessions in other rooms and there will be a quiet space available. There is level access to all spaces in Nottingham Contemporary. Please visit this link for Nottingham Contemporary's full access statement: https://www.nottinghamcontemporary.org/visit/access-and-facilities/

A group of peaople sit listening to someone off screen, looking attentive, some smilling. In the bacground is a green wall with yellow, purple and wood boards against it.

Image: Artists Mentoring Curators - Jade Foster & Ellen Gallagher. Photo: Tom Platinum Morley

Programme Outline (Subject to updates)

Please arrive at 1.45pm for a 2pm start
Hot drinks and snacks provided.

Introduction (10 mins)

  • Setting the context for the day, aims for working together, care and accountability.

  • Outline breaks, quiet space and access.

In conversations & Sharings: examples of sector-changing practice (1 hour 45 mins)


BREAK (25mins)

Workshops (1 hour)

  • Facilitated sessions with Grand Union and Ort Gallery – sharing practice, methodologies, tools, provocations.

  • Each group to add ideas/commitments to a collective charter for change

Wrap-Up & Next Steps (30 mins)

  • Bringing commitments together to seed shared commitments for change

  • Exploring how this connects to existing national networks

This event is supported through the Art Fund Reimagine grant.

Earlier Event: October 25
Primary Open