ADDRESSING CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL ISSUES THROUGH CULTURE: A FRAME-WORK FOR ACTION

Arguably, the arts and culture have never been more important than they are today. At a time of such rapid change and instability, we more than ever need to be reflective, empathetic, resilient and engaged citizens. Participation in the arts and culture enables us to develop those skills critical to a world undergoing drastic change. This paper will draw on research undertaken by the Research Centre for Museums and Galleries (RCMG) at the University of Leicester, UK. It will consider what elements are required for us to address contemporary social issues. What values underpin this work? How do these pervade every element of what we do? How can we develop activist practices? What ethical issues do we need to consider? With a range of skills, expertise and approaches, how can we work collaboratively so as to ensure that some people's views are not privileged over others? How do we make sure that this work has contemporary relevance? What impact can such work have? How do we express the experiences of participants? Why is this impact so important? Central to all of these questions is how we value difference: by making it part of our strength, diversity is critical to our ability to thrive. Combining a variety of processes and case studies, this paper proposes a framework for action that will be adaptable to diverse contexts but also provide a rigorous underpinning to support cultural work that is concerned with contemporary social issues.