6 October 2021
People, Profits or Prospects
Prospect Us explores the social, emotional and political impact of commodification of land, rapid urban development and studentification in Newcastle. Through art, satirical games and discussion we’ll examine the power imbalance between landowners, developers, long-term residents and students.
What prospects do students have, having been lured by a glossy prospectus into paying high rents to private accommodation providers?
With land seen as a commodity to squeeze out the maximum profit,what prospects does this leave the people and communities who inhabit the land,but don’t own it?
How can we convince developers to serve the communities they produce as well as the communities they displace, and not only prospect for profit?
Prospect Us seeks to bring different groups together through exhibition and events to discuss and share knowledge about the effects of studentification, and the commodification of land, housing and communities. A collaboration between SAW, BxNU institute, Newcastle University, artists and researchers.
Panellists:
– Lydia Hiorns: Director of Shieldfield Art Works an arts organisation based in Shieldfield, Newcastle upon Tyne. SAW believes art and creativity are integral parts of human life, and with art’s unique ability to articulate, question and enquire, we can enact positive change in our communities and the world. As a project of the Methodist Church, SAW is built upon Christian foundations of seeking truth, challenging injustice, social activism and operating for the common good.
– Julia Heslop: Artist and postdoctoral research fellow in Architecture at Newcastle University
– Laura Yuile: Artist and PhD student at Northumbria University.
– Jill Holder: Retired schoolteacher and a Shieldfield resident for 37 years. Jill lives in one of Shieldfield’s older houses (it was built in 1904 has a lot of history). As a volunteer Jill helps run the Forum Café which has been open for six years and has become a local community hub – a safe space. Jill has an allotment where she grows vegetables and flowers. Sometimes she has so many she shares with neighbours and friends at the café.
– Mike Jeffries: Geography Department, Northumbria University. Mike explores the lo-fi and DIY city using games, zines and collage.
– Andrea Phillips (Chair): BALTIC Professor at Northumbria University, Director of the BxNU Institute, writer, organiser and collaborator.