ArtsGames Forum Montréal

This event is on 26 May 2016

ICC Head of Research, Dr. Beatriz García, is at the Montréal ArtsGames forum this week to discuss the value and impact of large-scale cultural events.

Inspired by the tradition of the Olympic arts competitions that took place between 1912 and 1948, ArtsGames will see artists from around the world compete against each other in a new artistic counterpart to the Olympic and Paralympic Games — with Montréal set to act as the first host of the competition in 2018.

One of the main aims of the games will be to make accessible and showcase the work of artists from a wide array of countries, and every continent, for audiences that may be more accustomed to art from the dominant western artistic traditions.

At this forum event, Beatriz will deliver a keynote speech on the potential value of events like ArtGames in connecting diverse communities of interest, whilst cautioning against the dangers of large-scale interventions that are not properly connected to – or sensitive to – their local environments.

Dr. García will also highlight the effect that aspirational cultural interventions can have in transforming the image and reputation of host cities — generating collective memories and inspiring very diverse communities to engage with the arts, think of artistic practice differently and become contributors and arts leaders themselves.

Further information about this forum event and the ArtsGames initiative is available via the ArtsGames website.

Photo credits
“Montreal-Palais des Congres” by PnP! is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0