Our Civic Programme puts community knowledge, expertise and skill at the forefront of what we do, and acts as a period of active research and development for our Associates Programme and Despacito Art School curriculum. The programme builds upon and extends the long-term relationships that we have built with local communities and organisations in Kent.

The Civic Programme responds directly to the gaps in the pipeline from early years to state school to higher arts education, providing opportunities for people of all ages to access and engage in creative projects guided by artists, thinkers and practitioners.

This programme is about community shaping and building, establishing longer-term creative projects that can situate art practice in non-traditional settings, such as healthcare centres and libraries. Projects have tangible impacts on wellbeing, access, community led expertise and social cohesion. They look to build cross sector partnerships and help participants shape their communities with support of the partner organisations.

The Civic Programme is also focussed on developing a new generation of Associate artists trained to work in a responsive way with site-specific ecologies and communities. Each year Associates meet the communities OSE are working with and have opportunities to develop projects and bonds with them, guided by the theme of each year and the lead artist. This gives Associates real-world experience of planning and delivering community led and social practice art co-devised with communities.

Civic Programme Archive

Read more: Home is where the garden is – Civic Programme

Home is where the garden is – Civic Programme