What are the ways that art can become a space to intentionally practice the futures that we long for?
Through a series of exercises, readings and anecdotes we will think about how community practice and collective
imagining can be used to assemble individuals for the purposes of dreaming, healing and resistance. As London
neighbourhoods continue to feel the effects of austerity and gentrification, we will share research developed from our
recent project(s) Radio Ballads, reflecting on practices of listening, embodiment and collective dreaming. Who can
research? Why is it that those to whom research can be so transformative are not part of these processes and are in
fact actively excluded? And what are the ways that collective dreaming can create alternative spaces for contesting
power and advocating for new forms of relation?

Some of the projects that we will share will explore vulnerability and brave resilience often in the face of deep pain and
difficulty. It may awaken your own needs for care and courage in the context of journeys you have experienced,
navigated, or witnessed. We encourage you to honour these needs as we share this work with you. This could look like:
taking a deep breath; pausing to drink water; finding a comforting colour to focus on; stepping outside to take a break
and move around. We also encourage you, if you have some time, to read about Radio Ballads ahead of the session
(online), this will give you a sense of what will be shared during our time together.

Elizabeth Graham
Elizabeth Graham is a practice-based researcher, curator and facilitator working at the intersections of art and social
justice in the UK and the Netherlands. Elizabeth is currently Associate Civic Curator at Serpentine, connecting artists,
communities, self-organised groups and campaigns through long-term collaborative projects and residencies in
London. Since 2014, Elizabeth has been the Practice and Research tutor on the Master in Education in Arts, Piet Zwart
Institute, Rotterdam. Recent Projects include; Radio Ballads, Everything Worthwhile is Done with Other People, Sonic
Stories and ACT ESOL: Language, Resistance, Theatre. Elizabeth’s work is guided by asking questions about how to
build loving relationships and liberatory futures through art, creativity and collaboration. Elizabeth’s work is also
underpinned through an engagement with anti-oppressive and radical pedagogy, abolitionist and transformative justice
movements, embodiment and somatic work and grief and trauma-informed practices.

Layla Gatens
Layla Gatens is a curator and facilitator interested in how creative practice can provide spaces for healing and
transformation. She is currently Assistant Civic Curator at Serpentine, working with artists, communities and groups to
develop collaborative projects, including Radio Ballads. She is a Group Facilitator at FearLess, where she works with
people affected by of domestic abuse and gender based violence. Previous roles include; Assistant Curator at Spike
Island, Bristol, Curatorial Assistant: Engagement at Chisenhale Gallery, London.