The Other Place

In May 2025 we delivered The Other Place, a full-day conference in Belfast that created space to explore how anti-establishment and street artists are transforming cities through creativity and resilience.

The Other Place asked how artists can drive positive urban change, not only through visual expression but also through their ability to disrupt, provoke, and re-imagine public space. The programme invited participants to explore the intersection of art, urban planning, and community development, with a focus on how we can collectively support artists to shape a more creative city.

The event brought together a diverse audience from different sectors and geographies who we intentionally described as ‘Artists’ and ‘Others’. There were artists (street artists, photographers, designers, illustrators, actors, producers, painters, and printmakers) and ‘others’/ sector professionals (from museums, universities, local councils, arts & culture venues, the National Trust, health and wellbeing organisations, tourism representatives, and independent creative consultants) in attendance. This mix of attendees ensured that conversations were wide-ranging and included varied perspectives.

We engaged speakers from across the UK, Ireland and Europe who represented a range of disciplines and the agenda included:

• Provocations: short talks to spark fresh thinking

• Conversations: group discussion in response to the provocations.

• Interviews

• Creative Engagement: interactive and creative exercises to spark imagination.

• Panel discussion

• Live mural painting throughout the conference

Feedback highlighted the value of creating a space where artists, planners, and policymakers could meet on equal terms, challenging conventions, celebrating creativity, and imagining cities that are more resilient, more inclusive, and more beautiful.