In May, I took part in a panel discussion – A Right to Decide: Empowering Children to Shape Cultural Space, the third in a series of three Constellations ° Assemblies, curated by UP Projects, exploring spatial justice and the role that art and artists can play in advocating for more inclusive cities.
The event is available to watch via UP Project’s Website.
A Right to Decide explored how public art commissioning and engagement can contribute to shaping Child Friendly Cities in the UK and internationally; most notably the role of public art and co-creation in sustaining and championing Unicef’s Child Friendly Cities in the UK and wider Europe.
The event featured case studies and speakers from two Child Friendly Cities: Helsinki, Finland, the first Nordic city recognised by UNICEF in 2024, and Nottingham, UK, which is a candidate for official recognition as a Child Friendly City. Through this conversation, we explored how artists, commissioners and institutions can work more equitably with children to ensure their voices, needs and priorities are integrated into public policies, programmes and decision-making.
Pirjetta Mulari, Chief of Children’s Culture for Helsinki and Director of Annantalo Arts Centre, talked about Helsinki’s Child Friendly City tatus and initiatives for Culture in the city. Sanni Priha of Toisissa Tiloissa collective shared Rhizome, a project commissioned by the HAM Helsinki Art Museum with schoolchildren at the Tehtaankatu elementary school in Helsinki (2020 – 2023).
Cathy Mahmood, ChalleNGe Manager in Nottingham, talked about Nottingham’s ChalleNGe initiative and the steps they’re taking towards becoming a Child Friendly City. Rebecca Beinart, Collaborative Programme Lead at PRIMARY in Nottingham, talked about Build, Create, Play, a project working with local families and young people around Ronald Street Playground in Radford (2019 – 2024).
The event was moderated by Manijeh Verghese, CEO (Open City).
Constellations ° Assemblies is curated by UP Projects and supported by Arts Council England.