A world class, high profile, cultural organisation
Watermans has been able to focus many of its efforts in emerging
arts. It has built a worldwide reputation for Asian Arts and New
Media Arts, forging strong relationships with centres of creative
excellence from South Asia and commissioning internationally
recognized digital media installations.
Unlike many traditional arts venues which are focused on
'consumption', seeing their role primarily in terms of reaching
audiences. Watermans stresses the value of participation. When
young people 'customise' their clothes in a way that the fashion
industry later copies, or when digital copying leads to wholesale
changes on the part of recording companies, we can see these
processes at work very clearly.
Developing a creative economy and community is about ensuring
that the residents of an area gain access to cultural activities
and have a chance to participate and develop their skills and see
the possibilities that these offer. Many of
Waterman's projects sit just at this nexus of production and
consumption.
If you would like to learn how you can support our
activities or know more about Watermans, please contact Marketing
Director, Leigh Stops, by email at leigh@watermans.org.uk