Should we redefine, reclaim or relegate the word ‘civic’? Helen Nicholson debates the relationship between the idea of the civic and theatres in towns.
Jenny Hughes’ inspiring blogpost prompted me to think further about the idea of the civic, and its relationship to theatres in towns. In this blog post I’m interested in furthering the conversation – by both talking about the civic and debating it too.
Most debate begins from an emotional position, and it’s time to own up to mine. Unlike Jenny, I find the idea of the civic largely unappealing, cold and definitely unfuzzy. I’ve been wondering why, and struggling to put feelings into words. I think at best I find the idea of the civic a useful way of softening the edges of profoundly unequal institutional structures and patching up the wounds in deeply fractured societies. There are good people trying to use failing civic structures to make things better in almost impossible situations. Even institutions are doing their best – for example, the idea that universities give a bit back to local economies and citizens seems to be a very good thing to do, under the circumstances, and I have actively promoted the Civic University network where I work... Keep reading on Creative Town Research.
Jenny Hughes’ inspiring blogpost prompted me to think further about the idea of the civic, and its relationship to theatres in towns. In this blog post I’m interested in furthering the conversation – by both talking about the civic and debating it too.
Most debate begins from an emotional position, and it’s time to own up to mine. Unlike Jenny, I find the idea of the civic largely unappealing, cold and definitely unfuzzy. I’ve been wondering why, and struggling to put feelings into words. I think at best I find the idea of the civic a useful way of softening the edges of profoundly unequal institutional structures and patching up the wounds in deeply fractured societies. There are good people trying to use failing civic structures to make things better in almost impossible situations. Even institutions are doing their best – for example, the idea that universities give a bit back to local economies and citizens seems to be a very good thing to do, under the circumstances, and I have actively promoted the Civic University network where I work... Keep reading on Creative Town Research.