Social Making: Creative Coastal Practice During Current Shifts - Opera House & Winter Gardens

Social Making is Take A Part's flagship biennial socially engaged arts and cultural placemaking conference. Built on 17 years of cultural placemaking and socially engaged arts practice, the conference brings together international, national, and local practices.

How can arts, heritage, and creative environmental practices empower coastal communities to take a seat at the table in determining their own futures?

Social Making 2027 brings together national and international practitioners, artists, scientists, conservationists, heritage experts, and local citizens to explore how collaborative co-design can build stronger, more resilient coastal communities.

Hosted over two days at the iconic Blackpool Winter Gardens, the event is delivered in partnership with LeftCoast, Blackpool and The Fylde College, and Blackpool Council.

The 2027 edition focuses on how arts, heritage, and creative environmental practices can support and strengthen communities to shape their own coastal futures, using co-design approaches to foster closer relationships between artists, scientists, conservationists, heritage experts, and local residents.

What to Expect

- National and international practice
- Practical workshops
- Networking events
- Presentations with themes of coastal youth, heritage, trauma, and creative futures