N’emerge Conference at Northbrook College- June 15th 2012

In 2011 the Cupp module (Community Engagement: Theory into Practice) won the MacJannet Prize which recognises exceptional student community engagement initiatives at Talloires Network member universities. Cupp received a $2,500 prize to put towards a student led community engagement conference based in Brighton. The day was entitled Learning to Make a Difference and ran in March 2012. The event aimed to bring students a glimpse of the exciting work that is already taking place and to support them in providing skills and information on where they can go to develop their own projects. As part of this students were given the opportunity to apply for funding (donated by the Springboard grant at the University of Brighton) to run their own student led projects. The following project received funding from this conference. N'emerge Artists Conference Programme was designed to engage the community with the benefits of art and support a showcase of local talent. The day consisted of academic and professional presentations on art practices, workshops, activities and performances for participants to learn, exchange skills, platform ideas and create a dialogue questioning the role of arts in the community. The event also gave an opportunity for staff and students from the University of Brighton to connect their projects and work with a wider community of artists, businesses, organisations, and general public from areas such as Worthing, Brighton, London and Bristol and more.

Project Aims

•To raise awareness of new and emerging artists and their projects to a wider community in the local area and nationwide.

•To engage Brighton based University colleagues with the creative activity on its affiliated Northbrook College and create further use of the space, more exchanges and other projects.

•To share the benefits of arts practice to a wider community.

•To create a platform and network for new and emerging artists to share ideas, work and projects with each other.

•To create a space for people to exchange experiences, knowledge and share skills.

•To inspire and create opportunities for participants to continue a legacy of community arts projects using the support network of N’emerge.

•To involve local businesses and organisations in the event to create opportunities in integrating participants projects with functioning systems and create an on-going body of work.

The Event

On 15th June 2012 after months of planning, Nemerge Artists presented their first Nemerge Artists Networking Conference at Northbrook College. The event was free and provided the valuable opportunity for local and national arts organisations, artists and companies to network and set up collaborative projects.

The day was a hub of creativity and diversity. There were showcases of new and emerging theatrical work, for example from local Brighton Theatre company Spun Glass Theatre, www.spunglasstheatre.com, and presentations of viral music videos and photography work by local Worthing photographer DarrenM:Photography, #worthing50. There were art installations and workshops facilitated by Artist Lucinda Abel, www.lucindaabel@tumblr.com, to engage participants in visualising and stimulating discussions. Throughout the day the progress of the conference was recorded onto the Comment-tag-tree installation and offered a platform for participants to exchange contacts, skills, project ideas, give feedback and ask questions.

Participants comments on the conference

“Support is good”

“inspiration, knowledge, avenues for creation, meeting new people. Making connections through love of art and music”

“new contacts for further projects”

There were seminars which involved debate around the issues and challenges in each participants own personal projects and through discussion support was offered. After the Conference participants celebrated at our Big Noise After Party at FortyTwo Bar in Worthing. There were offerings of intimate local music performances from artists such as Bradley Hicks, DJ’s, food, and another chance to network and socialise.

"We are all so proud of you. Bring on the next one!” - Vanessa Cornford, Lecturer and participant at Conference from Northbrook College