community-led planning, regeneration and economic
development with a
creative and cultural twist
Reactions
Reactions was a residency undertaken at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) Crewe Campus – as part of the Curating Knowledge programme. It took place from 8 – 18 November 2016, at Axis Arts Centre in the OpenSpace.
Spanton was invited to present her initial responses to the process of undertaking
a year-long MSc at the University of Manchester in Urban Regeneration and Development – to explore its impact on her cross-disciplinary (visual arts / performance) practice.
Due to an interest in the idea that artists should take a greater part in civic society, in recent years, Spanton embarked on a shift in her practice, repositioning herself as both a planning and regeneration professional and as an artist.
Reactions enabled the undertaking of practical research creatively addressing issues around regeneration, place-making, local economic development, and social, environmental and economic justice, including taking Crewe and the MMU campus as a context for making new work.
Activities undertaken during Reactions included: an exhibition of recent and new 2D works, a sound-place walking workshop, an artist’s talk and a performance-installation.