How can we make Bristol thrive for members of the community amidst a cost-of-living crisis? What is the relationship between artists, creative communities, urban regeneration and cultural policies? Ultimately, what do you want the future of Bristol to look like, and how can we get there by working collectively?
Join us at Sparks Bristol where we welcome some of Bristol's changemakers who will be discussing different visions for our city’s future with local activists, community builders, academics and artists.

Leading on from Futur Ville in 2019, which explored the devastating impact of gentrification on the arts in Bristol, Sparks of Change aims to encourage collaboration and mutual support between individuals and organisations, so that together we can answer ‘what next, and how do we get there?'

Sparks of Change will be chaired by Futureground, and take the form of a panel discussion to address the ambitions of organisations involved in place-making, with a Q&A session open to the public. There will also be an opportunity to network for organisations and members of the public who want to support a shared vision. Bristol is creating a strong collaborative movement of organisations, and manifestos, in preparation for when the committee model of governance takes effect from 5 May 2024 in Bristol.

We want to hear from you as we are much stronger together!

Childcare: The event is open to children, and we will screen family-friendly films and have other activities to entertain children during the event. Please make sure all children attend the event with an accompanying adult. Children aged 1 and under will be required to stay with the accompanying adult throughout the event.

Ramadan: We are aware that this event is during Ramadan, and will be timing the break to coincide with iftar time. We will be providing refreshments and a space and time for Muslim attendees to pray during the break.

Information on Speakers:

Bristol Commons - Daniel Balla: Danny has been campaigning for community space in Bristol, and co-created a strategy based on collaboration where landlords are no longer the key beneficiaries. Danny is passionate about facilitation and tools for participatory democracy and has explored strategies for systemic change including Coexists's manifesto to 'Rebuild the Commons'.

Bristol Urban Forum - Ben Stephenson: Ben has been a consultant in rethinking city centres with 25 years of experience. For Ben, the current climate provides an opportunity to transform them for the benefit of local communities - as centres for learning, entertainment, housing and connection. Malcolm has worked on a wide range of projects for young people and socially excluded adults over the years alongside interactive street theatre. Malcolm has shifted his focus towards public engagement and finds ways to bring lived experience into decision making.

Tara Miran - Tara is a human rights activist, championing the rights of women, Kurds and Kurdistan, and Global Majority communities in Bristol. As a Kurd born in the midst of a genocide in Kurdistan, she believes that these roots set in motion the activist she is today. She has led campaigns and movements including promoting Kurdish people's rights via Bristol Kurdish Solidarity Network protests and events, to provide much needed space and amplify the voices of those considered a 'minority within a minority'. She is proud to disrupt systems of inequity and recently her campaign Save St Pauls Dentist Action Group Campaign was escalated to Westminster. Currently, her day job is at the University of Bristol's Temple Quarter Enterprise campus, working in Civic Engagement and Social Purpose. Tara also delivers inclusive sustainability and community engagement training on a freelance basis. As a speaker at Sparks of Change, she will be participating as an individual who wants encourage others to always claim space despite barriers and challenges.

Bristol 2040 - Emma Geen: Emma curated a collaborative 'Speculative Salon' where she invited members of the public to step into the shoes of future Bristolians of 2040. Bristol 2040 is a utopia for nature, with vertical gardens and rewilded beaver, lynx and stork populations. The Salon was an event for activists, artists, politicians and anyone else to discuss pathways to reach these dreams.

Stokes Croft Land Trust / Cardiff University - Aseem Inam: Aseem has over 20 years of experience as an architect, urban designer and city planner. Aseem works with SCLT to retain the cultural independence of Stoke Croft amidst growing gentrification. As a professor at Cardiff University he addresses urban inequalities, gentrification and lack of affordable neighbourhoods.

Eastside Community Trust - Stacy Yelland: As CEO, Stacy has developed strong relationships and a deep understanding of the local area. Stacy believes in the power of community and the central role of public spaces, play and connections between neighbours to make positive change. Recently, Eastside Community Trust won a Locality Award for Bringing Communities Together.

Trinity Centre - Emma Harvey: As part of Bristol's One City Culture Board, Emma Harvey questioned conventional models of creating strategy and began to consider ways that citizens could be engaged in cultural strategy. A project began to explore the idea of a citizen-led culture, involving meeting citizens and experts in democratic participation. A draft plan for a Citizens' Assembly for Culture is being designed and will launch in 2024.

The Bristol Cable - Eliz Minon: Eliz is Bristol Cable's Strategy Lead. She works on strategic, sustainable planning to ensure that both the Cable, and the journalism the writers produce, has impact in Bristol and beyond. The Bristol Cable is a pioneering investigative local media co-op, owned by thousands of people in Bristol

University of the West of England, Repair Acts, Urban Hosts and Professor of City Futures – Teresa Dillon: Teresa's art and research practice, focuses on how urban life is shaped by the ways we design and make tools and technologies, in the first place and the living patterns that emerge from such decisions. This is realised through various programmes of work, such as Repair Acts, which focuses on repair, care, maintenance and healing cultures and Urban Hosts, a public event series that explores conversational formats for promoting alternatives to current civic norms. Drawing on this body of work, Teresa will share views on what it means to support long term civic conversations for equitable change, with a focus on Repair Acts and the co-development of Bristol’s Repair Declaration and Coalition.

When: Thursday 14th March. Doors are at 17:00, event starts at 17:30.
Event ends: 20:30

Cost: Pay What You Can. We recommend a suggested donation of £5 per ticket.
All proceeds will be divided equally between speaker fees and the Sparks project.

Food & Drink: Light refreshments will be provided.

Accessibility Info: we have a lift available for attendees with mobility issues, and there will be a BSL interpreter at the event.

Entry requirements: no age restrictions — Read more — Read less