Collective Encounters’ incredibly popular online Open Space events provide a safe space for artists, producers, audience, facilitators, policy makers and academics to learn, connect and explore the key arts and cultural agendas of the time.

Held on Zoom, and with a capacity for 100 people at each event, they enable those delivering and experiencing arts and culture to listen to provocations, set their own agenda and move between interesting conversations and debates.

To find out more about any up and coming Open Space events go the EVENTS PAGE and book your free space. Donations are welcome.

You can also explore some of the themes and question of previous events by clicking on the links below.

Do you have a theme or a question about arts and culture that you would like explored? Get in touch with Marianne Matusz to discuss curating your own Open Space event. marianne[@]collective-encounters.org.uk

Ethics and Theatre from Lived Experience
Ethics and Theatre from Lived Experience
The term “theatre from lived experience” has become common in the participatory theatre lexicon to describe an approach to making theatre with communities which deals with the real issues in their lives. This event explored the ethics of this practice.
Quality and Excellence in Participatory Arts
Quality and Excellence in Participatory Arts
The words ‘excellence’ and ‘quality’ are frequently cited in English cultural policy. This event was an opportunity for participatory artists and arts organisations to come together with peers to articulate what they mean in our sector.
Creativity and Climate Justice
Creativity and Climate Justice
How can participatory arts engage most effectively with issues of climate justice? In conversation with Jess Worth (Culture Unstained), Kooj Chuhan (Crossing Footprints) and Andrea Ku (Artist and Beekeeper)
Putting Anti-Racism into Practice
Putting Anti-Racism into Practice
What role can the arts, arts organisations and arts workers play in eradicating racism and building more inclusive communities?
Co-Production, Power-Sharing and Shared Decision Making
Co-Production, Power-Sharing and Shared Decision Making
How can participatory arts practice empower people and communities? In conversation with Abi Horsfield and Chrissie Tiller.
The Future of Participatory Theatre
The Future of Participatory Theatre
What does the changing world of participatory theatre look like in 2021 and beyond?
Digital Participatory Theatre: Participation and Social Change
Digital Participatory Theatre: Participation and Social Change
In conversation with Collective Encounters, Maya Chowdhry (Virtual Migrants, Ethical People Movement) and Nathan Powell (Small Gifts) to discuss how digital participatory theatre methods can provide new ways of looking at and platforming social issues pertinent to communities.
Digital Participatory Theatre: Audience, Agency, Action
Digital Participatory Theatre: Audience, Agency, Action
Is Digital Participatory Theatre rewriting the rules for audiences (and makers)? In conversation with Tassos Stevens (The Delegation, Coney), Debbie Bandara (New Worlds, Forest Tribe Theatre) and Abi Horsfield and Caitlin Strongarm (Above and Beyond, Collective Encounters).
Delivering Participatory Theatre During Social Distancing? What's Working.
Delivering Participatory Theatre During Social Distancing? What's Working.
This open space style event explored some of the key issues facing the applied and community theatre sector in 2 June 2020, and led to a research report documenting the challenges and benefits of working in the online space.