Culture is not an Industry launch with Justin O’Connor
Book Launch
The Digital Cultures Research Centre (DCRC, UWE) are delighted to host, alongside the Moving Image Research Group, UWE, Prof. Justin O’Connor for the launch of his new book, Culture is not an industry: Reclaiming art and culture for the common good.
Culture is at the heart to what it means to be human. But twenty-five years ago, the British government rebranded art and culture as ‘creative industries’, valued for their economic contribution, and set out to launch the UK as the creative workshop of a globalised world.
Where does that leave art and culture now? Facing exhausted workers and a lack of funding and vision, culture finds itself in the grip of accountancy firms, creativity gurus and Ted Talkers. At a time of sweeping geo-political turmoil, culture has been de-politicised, its radical energies reduced to factors of industrial production. This book is about what happens when an essential part of our democratic citizenship, fundamental to our human rights, is reduced to an industry.
Culture is not an industry argues that art and culture need to renew their social contract and re-align with the radical agenda for a more equitable future. Bold and uncompromising, the book offers a powerful vision for change.
Justin will be visiting from the University of South Australia to join us for this, and he will be in conversation with Dr Steve Presence, Associate Professor of Film Studies at UWE. Tickets cost £6, which includes a glass of wine or a soft drink and £2 off the book.
Book tickets
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