15/09/2025
A few thoughts
Independents Biennial comes to an end and we’ll have more reflection and thoughts as we evaluate the festival over the coming months.
This has become an important channel to share art over the past three months so please tag us it for anything to share.
One thing we do have to say is thank you, because at a time when artists are consistently told their passion and ideas are not important, by commissioners, arts leaders, the media and more, this festival has shown their value.
Our artists have reflected on grief, death, war, joy, memory, discovery, nature, gardens, hopes, identity, home, language, dance, love, friendship and myriad other things. They have reminded us that art has never been more relevant. That this shared language we use to explain ourselves has never been more valuable or urgent. That our artists are how we navigate this weird and often scary world.
This festival has been inspiring, but also frustrating. It has illustrated how much hollowing out has happened around funders, local authorities and partners.
Artists are being expected to do more for less. Again.
Artists are not sealant, they cannot work five jobs and deliver unpaid or very low paid creative activity simply because no one else is doing it.
Our team is small and it’
s really tired. We have empowered (we hope?) our creative community to show that they’re not alone, and we wanted to see how much has perservered since Covid.
There are so many artists and creatives and we have shown that.
But the funds aren’t there. The space isn’t there.
Our evaluation is going to reflect how this festival has been, but also what our ecosystem needs.
Festivals end. The need for them doesn’t.
Thank you to all, you’re genuinely the best ❤️
