Week 2: Let’s talk business

Like a number of others in the group, it hadn’t been my intention to develop a business from my photographic work, but the module is very constructively provoking me to think carefully about how my work is positioned in the broader field of photographic practice, who the work is for and how it reaches an audience. Given the early stage of my thinking on this, I’ve kept it brief (but aspirational), and related it to the current direction of my final project.

Mission

To use photographic image-making, alongside other media, to understand the social, cultural, political and economic dynamics of urban regeneration, and work collaboratively with residents in achieving positive and equitable outcomes for the local community.

Product

  • Images produced by residents as part of participatory research studies, designed to explore the diversity of life-worlds, circumstances and aspirations of communities.
  • Images produced in collaboration with local stakeholders (residents, activists, researchers, community groups, local government and businesses) to develop photographic and related resources to use in initiatives designed to develop local prosperity and for use in local advocacy.
  • Images produced from my own artistic, emotional and intellectual response to resident and collaborative images and my engagement with the areas and their communities.
  • Workshops for residents and other stakeholders, exhibitions, online and print resources and publications relating to the images produced and the process of image-making.
  • Publications offering critical commentary on visual arts methods in interdisciplinary research and development.

Market

  • Resident, community and local activist groups.
  • Organisations and networks concerned with development, public space, housing and social justice.
  • Local authorities and constituent departments.
  • Academics, researchers and students concerned with urban planning, community development and equity.
  • Arts organisations and galleries wanting to enhance local public engagement.
  • Local college and university departments (including photography, arts, planning, development, architecture, urban anthropology, social science).