During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Madeleine and Jeff examine the changing of seasons, workloads, and how artists and institutions navigate that change. Madeleine shares her interview with SImon Sharkey, a Scottish theatre-maker and activist, who provides powerful stories and visions for the role of artists and institutions in society. Madeleine and Jeff think about how to apply this change of frame in their work.
In this episode you’ll learn:
How embodies creativity can lead to arts-based civic and social change;
About the formation of the National Theatre of Scotland and how it changes the role of institutions; and
Why artists and institutions should re-frame their roles in society.
Please download the transcript here
Check out some of the things mentioned during this podcast, including:
Eric Booth’s Tending the Perennials
Anne Bamford’s The Wow Factor
Please download the transcript here.
ABOUT SIMON SHARKEY:
Simon was one of the founding directors of The National theatre of Scotland, where he pioneered the “Theatre Without Walls” approach across Scotland and the rest of the world. Over 15 years with NTS he created a programme of genre defying participatory and professional arts projects and festivals that reached globally and impacted locally. Since leaving NTS in 2018, to continue his work, he formed “The Necessary Space” which he calls a “Theatre of Opportunity.” He is currently engaged in several projects across the world including Brazil, India, Jamaica, Trinidad, Austria, Germany, Canada and of course Scotland. He was one of the first people in the UK to receive a National Endowment of Science, Technology and Arts (NESTA) “international cultural leadership award.” He is a director, writer, coach, mentor, speaker and most recently, a documentary film maker. He works on epic and intimate scales with site specific theatre and theatre for social change.
This episode was produced by Madeleine McGirk; executive producer is Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. Creative Generation’s Digital Media Producer is Daniel Stanley. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC.