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Call for papers


*** The deadline for submitting papers has passed.***
 
 

The Centre for Social Studies (CES), University of Coimbra, Portugal, together with the Utrecht School for the Arts, Utrecht, Netherlands; the Small Cities Community-University Research Alliance at Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada; and the European Network of Cultural Administration Training Centres (ENCACT) thematic area on ‘Urban management and cultural policy of the city’ will organize a second annual symposium on Animation of Public Space through the Arts: Innovation and Sustainability, on the 28-30 September 2011, at Centre for Social Studies (CES), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal


The leading question of the 2011 symposium is how innovative artistic animation of public spaces can contribute to building more sustainable cities. Community sustainability is viewed as encompassing and intertwining environmental, cultural, social, and economic sustainability and resiliency. The forum will explore and advance arts-based approaches to sustainable city building, public engagement, and animation of public space by bringing together interdisciplinary researchers, students, and practitioners to share experiences and insights.

Among the discussion themes are:

• Animation of public space through artistic practices
• Sustainable use of public space
• Urban-nature interactions
• Community change, public engagement, and social sustainability
• Community transitions and sustainabilities
• Heritage and memory in the context of cultural sustainability
• Creativity and innovation for sustainability
• Sustainability and creative education

In the framework of the symposium there will be a special presentation and event with artists involved in Coimbra’s 1976 “Week of art in the streets” and special art commissions organized by Círculo de Artes Plásticas de Coimbra (CAPC), a Centre for Contemporary Art.

The symposium topics will be also explored in two artistic workshops (Friday, 30th of September 2011):
1. Theatre workshop ‘Animation of Public Space through Innovative Artistic Practices
2. Eco-cultural Mapping workshop ‘Artistic Approaches to Reengagement with Natural Public Spaces

Other partners for the Symposium include:
University of Coimbra ‘Cities and Urban Cultures’ MA and PhD programmes
University of Coimbra Department of Architecture – Architecture; Design and Multimedia programmes
Círculo de Artes Plásticas de Coimbra (CAPC) – Centre for Contemporary Art, Coimbra, Portugal
O Teatrão, Coimbra, Portugal
Pier K, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
STUT Theatre, Utrecht, The Netherlands

For additional information, please contact the coordinator of the event, Dr. Nancy Duxbury, Centre for Social Studies (CES), email: duxbury(at)ces.uc.pt