ResearchWorks: How to share power

This is a joint ResearchWorks and Guildhall De-Centre for Socially Engaged Practice event. For further information about Jo, Detta and Natasha’s Lines of Enquiry please see the De-Centre website

This discussion will explore power - in its structural, theoretical and collective forms – and the practice of consciously questioning, dismantling and sharing it with others and each other. In particular, it will look at power through the lenses of collaboration, consensus building and non-hierarchical structures in the context of community settings and through community-led practices.

Drawing on current research and projects, Detta, Tash and Jo will talk about their approaches as practitioner-researchers, including the tensions and dilemmas that exist in relation to their positions within a Euro-centric and “elite” institution working in community contexts. They will explore the complexities of establishing community-led structures, as well as the challenges of collective and grassroots working within communities impacted by fragmentation, welfare cuts and neo-liberal ideologies. What does it mean to share power in a world where it is so unevenly distributed?

Speakers:

Jo Chard (they/them) is a queer neurodivergent producer and researcher who focuses on participatory and co-created approaches. Most of their practice looks at radical
and democratised community-led infrastructure in cultural organisations through their work on projects like DISRUPT. They are the Senior Manager for Creative Partnerships at Guildhall School, and are currently undertaking a PhD exploring community and activist organising models, and their applications in the governance of cultural organisations to support greater democracy.

Detta Danford and Natasha Zielazinski are musicians, artists, educators and coaches with over 15 years of joint practice working in collaborative, community and interdisciplinary contexts. At the heart of their practice is a deep friendship, a curiosity about others, and an emphasis on listening. Their work often involves creating and experimenting ‘from scratch’, with a facilitation approach that is about working with. Together they have facilitated projects between major arts organisations and smaller, localised communities, including partnerships with The Magpie Project (Newham) and the Guildhall School. Det and Tash are both Guildhall Ignite Associate coaches, and are curious about how relational frameworks can support and interact with artistic and educational approaches. As musicians and performers they have a number of ensembles and projects for which collaboration, connection and community are at the core, including The Breakfast Club, The Cally Rhythmics (Help on Your Doorstep/LSO) and Jetsam among others.

Guildhall School’s ResearchWorks is a programme of events centred around the School’s research activity, bringing together staff, students and guests of international standing. We run regular events throughout the term intended to share the innovative research findings of the School and its guests with students, staff and the public.