Collaborate project spotlight

Find out more about the research project between Compass Live Art and Matthew Reason, Institute for Social Justice, York St John University

The impact of co-creation

Compass Live Art with Matthew Reason, Institute for Social Justice, York St John University

Making with / Researching with: Exploration of the experiences, values and impact of different forms of co-creation

This partnership was awarded a research grant in June 2022 as part of the first round of funding of the Centre for Cultural Value’s Collaborate programme.

The fund looks to support innovative new partnerships between cultural sector practitioners and academics to explore under-explored questions around cultural value.

Collaborate research project. A large black square structure in the centre of leeds Market. The structure has a range of screens on it, one screen has the word ‘Time Bar’ written on it, one is playing a video of a person, one has a pub quiz. A group of people are watching the screens. — Image: Public House - The Yorkshire Square by Small Acts. Photo by Lizzie Coombes for Compass Festival 2021.

What will the project explore?

Compass Live Art has ten years of experience producing socially engaged, interactive live art. Through processes of ‘making with’ – such as co-creation and community participation – Compass produces work in non-art spaces that engages under-represented, traditionally non-arts attending groups.

The research partnership with Matthew Reason and Lauren Hall from York St John University will investigate the experiences of both artists and audiences taking part in ‘making with’, as well as explore the experiences of previous festival attendees. This will be done through “walking interviews”, where participants will revisit the locations of previous Compass Festival events to explore enduring memories of impact and agency.

At a time when the arts are turning to co-creation and participation to engage new and different audiences, this research will provide insight into the impact of co-creation on arts engagement.

Project learning and findings

Collaborate project uses walking interviews to explore co-creation

Find out more about our Collaborate fund

Musicians from the Manchester Camerata orchestra

Image: Manchester Camerata

Collaborate projects

Find out more about the projects that have been awarded funding from our Collaborate programme

Image shows the inside of a gallery with white walls and images on the walls. In the background is a visitor wearing a face covering.

Days Like These exhibition. Image: The Lowry

Funding

Our Collaborate fund supports innovative new research partnerships between the cultural sector and academics.