At Justice in Motion, we believe in the power of outdoor arts to break down barriers, reach communities, and create meaningful change. Attending the Outdoor Arts UK National Conference ‘Equity in Action’ in February of this year reinforced just how vital this work is.
The conference in Stoke-on-Trent focused on themes of inclusion and accessibility in the arts, with talks from pioneers, experts, and those with lived experiences painting a full picture of where we’re at and where we need to get to.
Our artistic director Anja Meinhardt joined the line-up as a speaker – leading a breakout session on how Justice in Motion has opened new income streams and performance opportunities by centring socially relevant concepts in our work. Here are her key reflections from the day:
Bringing Art to the People
Art should not be confined to elite spaces – it must also be offered in places where people might not otherwise experience it. Outdoor arts have the unique ability to reach beyond walls, engaging communities where they are, regardless of class, race, or gender.
When collaborating with communities, we should find out what people really need and then address those needs. We should do projects ‘with’ people not ‘to’ them. This was perfectly captured by Susan Clarke, the Director of Stoke Creates, who told the story of a project in Karansebes in Bosnia, where the asylum community there threw a mountain of donated old shoes into an empty swimming pool “We don’t want your old shoes… but someone to sit, dance, cook with us. Really listen to us and our stories, and share our stories. Something positive our desperate families can do with you, artists. That’s what we need.”
Recognising and Supporting Artists
For socially engaged art to thrive, artists must be valued – through fair wages, recognition, and sustainable career paths.
Many artists working in community-driven projects experience guilt when asking for money, knowing that many of the people they work with struggle financially. However, it takes time, trust, and resources to build meaningful relationships in socially engaged practice. A basic income scheme for artists would provide much-needed stability, allowing them to focus on long-term impact rather than financial survival.
The Importance of Cultural Justice
It is a human right to participate in a cultural life, and yet genuine poverty often prevents people from engaging. A family in Stoke shared that they would skip a meal just to afford the travel costs to an arts project. That should never have to be the case. As artists, we must advocate for structural changes that make the arts accessible to everyone. This includes extending the definition of access costs, integrating cultural rights into national policies, and lobbying for a Cultural Development Goal within the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
True Accessibility: Meeting People Where They Are
Inclusion is not just a concept – it requires tailored support. At the conference, we discussed the need for Access Riders – detailed guides on what individuals require to fully participate. Too often, accessibility decisions are made by able-bodied people without consulting those they affect. The key takeaway? Talk to disabled artists directly about their needs rather than assuming what works best.
Cultural Democracy in Action
Stoke is pioneering a collaborative model where community members actively participate in programming decisions. With 400 representatives involved in Appetite Stoke’s consultations, they ensure that the work created is truly reflective of the people it serves. This approach is a blueprint for how arts organisations can foster genuine engagement by showing up, listening, and co-creating with communities.
Moving Forward: Making Outdoor Arts a Valued Part of Society
Outdoor arts have the power to reach the hard to reach, bringing light, hope, and possibilities beyond the daily grind. But as a society, we must ask ourselves: do we truly value this work?
Investing in outdoor arts means investing in people – providing infrastructure, fair pay, and long-term support for socially engaged practice. It means recognising that art is not a luxury, but a fundamental part of a just and equitable society.
At Justice in Motion, we are committed to being one link in the chain of justice – alongside policymakers, charities, and communities. If we want a more equitable arts sector, we must work together to make it happen.
