The Harewood Biennial explores the transformative power of craft and creativity, which connects people and empowers communities. In this year’s exhibition, Radical Acts: Why Craft Matters, curator Hugo Macdonald and sixteen makers, artists and studios collaborated to address human connection, social justice and equality, climate change and conservation, material potential and natural resources, and land use and landfill.

As part of this six month exhibition, a two-day symposium sees industry experts, artists, journalists, authors and thinkers debate what the power and potential of craft is as a force for positive change.

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Generously supported by Arts Council England and the DCMS Culture Recovery Fund

    

Thursday 30 June 6.30pm
Reclaiming the Earth: Live Broadcast in conversation
in partnership with Intelligence Squared

Opening the two-day event on Thursday 30 June at 6.30pm, Harewood joins with Intelligence Squared – the leading forum for live, agenda-setting debates, talks and discussions around the world – in a live-streamed panel discussion, Reclaiming the Earth exploring how the movement towards a more sustainable future can no longer be divorced from the movement for racial justice. Chaired by writer and Senior Editor of VICE Dipo Faloyin, Food grower and writer Claire Ratinon, curator Ligaya Salazar and product designer Spandana Gopal explore the role race plays in environmental justice, and the power of creativity and craft to communicate this crucial link.

Watch Live at 6.30pm, Thur 30 June >>

Friday 1 July from 9am
Radical Acts Symposium
A full day of insight, conversation and debate

British designer Mac Collins, winner of the Design Museum’s inaugural Ralph Saltzman Prize, delivers the first keynote on Friday 1 July. Kicking off a full day’s agenda of conversation, debate and inspiring insight, he explores how craft can help us address social issues affecting contemporary life.

A joint keynote from designer and environmentalist Sebastian Cox and multi-disciplinary designer and academic Nick Gant, focusing on how craft can inspire healthier relationships between people and the environment, follows in the afternoon.

‘In conversation’ sessions offer opportunities to really participate in the debate, and joining conversation chairs Grant Gibson and Natalie Melton, we welcome panels discussing how craft can be a practical tool for human connection, how it can provide a lens to discuss better representation in the creative sector, how craft can inspire healthier relationships between people and the environment, and how it might help us build deeper, more meaningful relationships with nature. Amongst the panelists are writer and critical thinker Emma Crichton Miller, journalist and acting editor of Crafts Debika Ray, textile artists Celia Pym and Richard McVetis, Harewood’s 2021 Craft Spotlight artist glassmaker Chris Day, maker and woodcraft specialist Robin Wood, and award-winning architect Jerry Tate.

Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a barbecue with conference speakers and other guests following the Thursday evening debate, as well as time to explore Harewood House, the exhibition and its grounds and gardens, plus the opportunity to network with colleagues from across the industry.

Schedule Overview

Thursday 30 June

from 2pm – Conference attendees welcome to arrive and visit the exhibition
5.30pm – Drinks reception on the Terrace
6.30pm – Reclaiming the Earth – a live broadcast in conversation event in partnership with Intelligence Squared. Featuring speakers Claire Ratinon, Ligaya Salazar and Spandana Gopal; chaired by Dipo Faloyin.
7.45pm – Buffet for conference guests

Friday 1 July

8.45am – Coffee, pastries and registration
9.30am – Welcome from Jane Marriott, Harewood House Trust Director, and Hugo Macdonald, curator of Radical Acts: Why Craft Matters
10am – Keynote with Mac Collins – How might craft help us address social issues affecting contemporary life?
11.30am – Breakouts: In conversation with … – Celia Pym, Richard McVetis and Natalie Melton discuss how craft can be a practical tool for human connection; Chris Day and Grant Gibson speak on how craft can be a lens to discuss better representation in the creative sector

12.30pm – Lunch

1.30pm – Keynote with Sebastian Cox and Nick Gant – How can craft inspire healthier relationships between people and the environment?
3pm – Breakouts: In conversation with… – Emma Crichton Miller and Debika Ray discuss media engagement and its portrayal of craft as a catalyst for positive change; Robin Wood, Jerry Tate and Grant Gibson speak on how craft can help us build deeper relationships with nature
4pm – Plenary – Speakers will join to discuss the conference’s stand out points
5pm – Ends

Tickets

Full conference tickets

Includes Reclaiming the Earth, a Thursday evening buffet, Friday’s full day of keynotes and talks with lunch, full access to Harewood House

Adult £85
Harewood Member + Student £65, valid with NUS or HE/FE student ID

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Friday 1 July only tickets

Includes Friday’s full day of keynotes and talks with lunch, plus full access to Harewood House

Adult £75
Harewood Members + Student £55, valid with NUS or HE/FE student ID

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Reclaiming the Earth
Thursday evening, Harewood Gallery

Adults £5

Includes a glass of Prosecco on arrival

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Thursday evening online broadcast

An online live stream of Reclaiming the Earth is available for free, with a suggested donation.

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