Published by UCL Press and available open access, the book – Developing a Sense of Place – has been funded by the University’s Arts & Culture Projects team, based within the Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies & Science.

Co-edited by Dr Tamara Ashley and Professor Alexis Weedon, the book also includes chapters written by Bedfordshire staff, including Emma Gill, Arts & Culture Projects Manager, and Dr Jane Carr, Head of the School of Media and Performance. Dr Carr’s contribution includes a commentary on jazz artist Perry Louis who previously engaged with the University’s local artist elevator programme, Test Beds.

Developing a Sense of Place documents arts practice in the UK with a specific focus on its role in cultivating a ‘sense of place’ within the communities served by artists and organisations. The unique partnership infrastructure of the UK arts scene is exposed in this book with critical reflections on artistic practices at the intersections of place making, policy, access, community need and organisational development, as well as gentrification and artistic communities, with a core focus on inclusion, migration and identity.

This book shows what is possible when artists collaborate with local communities and engage in work that contributes to civic development and ultimately helps to improve the quality of life for those involved.

Emma Gill, Arts & Culture Projects Manager, said: "The publication has been a great example of how community-focused project activity can galvanise, enhance and support a university's research environment, especially for institutions like the University of Bedfordshire which is dedicated to widening participation. Developing a Sense of Place demonstrates the symbiotic relationship between innovation, civic engagement and research.”

Dr Tamara Ashley, Senior Lecturer in Dance with the School of Media & Performance: “It has been a real pleasure to work on this book that documents some excellent and innovative practice on place making from the arts and university sector in the UK, and further afield. I have learnt a great deal from each of the authors and the models of practice in the book offer insight into contemporary approaches to strategic working in the arts sector, as well as insights into how practice led artists are effective in engaging and working with their local and regional communities.” 

Professor Alexis Weedon, UNESCO Chair and Director of the Research Institute for Media Arts & Performance (RIMAP), said: “I have learned to trust the insights of artists to take me further into the creation of communities. At a time when many arts groups are challenged, it was lovely to hear back from contributor Ivan Cuttings, following the books publication, that his theatre group Eastern Angles is confident of surviving these terrible times.”

On Wednesday 20^th January 2021, the School of Media & Performance will be hosting a free virtual event about this publication. Between 11am – 1pm, ‘Dialogue with the authors’ will explore the book in detail and will include talks from the authors and contributors, discussions and an interactive Q&A. To join this event, email tamara.ashley@beds.ac.uk to reserve a spot.

Happy publication day to Tamara Ashley and @AlexisWeedon! Developing a Sense of Place: The Role of the Arts in Regenerating Communities published today! Download free here: https://t.co/tsV95r6LZ9 @uniofbeds @uniofbedsnews @uoblibrary pic.twitter.com/LKka6j9dAq

— UCL Press (@UCLpress) October 7, 2020

The book is available now to purchase in hardback and paperback. Alternatively a free open access PDF version can be downloaded directly from UCL Press: www.uclpress.co.uk/products/152829

To discover more about study and research opportunities with RIMAP and the Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies & Science, visit: www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/departments/cats