Stubborn Optimism: a Cultural Bridge project

We are delighted to announce that we have been successful in joining the Cultural Bridge programme for 2025.

We’ll be engaging in Stubborn Optimism: Social Arts Co-Creation and Positive Change in Community Contexts in dialogue with German-based organisation Raum der Künste. Together, we’ll spend time online and in person exploring how each organisation approaches co-creation. We’ll be sharing more about Zest, and how our work crosses over creative, and health sectors, and Raum der Künste will share their approaches to intergenerational work in a European context.

Janet Grau, Artist and Raum der Künste member, said “At Raum der Künste, our long-standing work in intergenerational projects inspires us to explore creative practices in the context of dementia. We find Bright Shadow’s ‘Zest’ methodology highly transferable and in line with our open, co-creative approach. This collaboration offers a unique opportunity to share insights through workshops, artist exchanges and reflective sessions, paving the way for a sustainable, long-term partnership. Together we aim to develop innovative, high-quality artistic models that bridge disciplines and reach diverse communities.”

Clare Thomas, Creative Director, said “at Bright Shadow, our practice is deeply rooted in connection, collaboration, and experimentation and so the opportunity to work with Raum der Künste feels incredibly enriching and purposeful. We are excited to learn from Raum der Künste about their approach to intergenerational co-creation and about their model of support for their artistic community. We hope that this exchange will form the foundation of a cultural partnership with the potential to have an impact ripple effect in our communities.”

We’ll be documenting our learning as we work together across 2025; and will be sharing this on our website and social media. Watch this space!

This project is funded by Cultural Bridge, which celebrates bilateral artistic partnerships between the UK and Germany through the collaboration between Arts Council England, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, British Council, Creative Scotland, Fonds Soziokultur, Goethe-Institut London and Wales Arts International / Arts Council of Wales.