Unique Spencer on giving communities in West Cumbria a voice in the arts

Everyone Here is a new community arts programme based in West Cumbria that champions the belief that creativity belongs to everyone. Through its citizen-led approach, the programme aims to diversify both participation and decision-making in cultural events while building upon existing creative initiatives in the region.

We spoke to Unique Spencer, Director of Access for Everyone Here, to find out a little more about the programme:

 

Tell us a bit about your work in the creative/cultural sector and what drew you to this field:

I trained as an actress but was drawn to how people without an arts background engage with culture. I began working with disabled and neurodiverse actors, which exposed social barriers that didn’t need to exist. This led me to explore how we can give everyone the “keys” to creativity. Now, as Director of Access for Everyone Here in West Cumbria, I lead “Jury for Joy” a citizens’ assembly putting cultural decisions back into the hands of the people.

 

What do you feel are some of the current challenges within the creative and cultural sector and how would you suggest these could be addressed?

I feel some of the current challenges in the sector are:

Who is in leadership and why: Giving people an opportunity to work alongside people who have a seat at the table and let them observe, learn and challenge them in real time can make a difference. For those people who sit at the top to hand the keys over for real change.

Who makes decisions for communities that are underrepresented: You can’t represent a community you know nothing about, you have to let the people lead or you are a dictator you have to keep challenging your ways of working and ask if this serves the people you are trying to lead.

Access to the arts is not accessible: You have to make changes to society and not the person, work from the social model of disability and then you have access.

 

Can you tell us about the Jury for Joy in West Cumbria?

Jury for Joy is our long-term citizens’ jury for West Cumbria about art and creativity.

The jury is made up of a group of people selected by lottery, who broadly represent the entire community. They learn about issues, discuss them with one another, and make decisions about what should happen and how things should change.

We’re inviting people from across West Cumbria to sign up and help make decisions on how money should be spent on creative activity where they live.

Jury for Joy invites all of us to imagine a future where everyone’s voice matters, where creativity thrives in every corner, and where joy is something we can create and enjoy together.

 

How do you think the creative sector could benefit from a citizens’ jury or other democratic decision-making tools?

You create a new audience you make people feel seen and heard. You give the next generation the hope, passion and faith to be a part of culture and creativity. We keep the industry alive and we make it engaging, fun and exciting for all. We can use it as a breeding ground to have hard conversations to let people have ownership of themselves. You bring back humanity to the core of who we are.

 

What are your thoughts on the upcoming Citizens’ Assembly for Culture in the West of England?

If you don’t talk the language of the people that you are trying to attract you will create the same old model of hierarchy. Being brave and believing in Change is the only way we can move forward. Giving the people back the power will make them want to engage. This is a revolution and I’m here for it every step of the way.

 

Anything else you would like to add?

“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” — Angela Davis.

 

About Unique Spencer

Unique’s work is characterised by a deep commitment to accessibility and creativity. They believe that art should be inclusive, allowing everyone to participate and experience joy trough innovative approaches. Unique’s contributions to the field of creative direction and accessibility have set new standards for inclusivity.

 

Find out more about Everyone Here: https://everyonehere.org/