In 2020 during lockdown Collective Encounters sought new ways to engage with other arts organisations, share creative practice and provoke discussions around key issues facing the participatory theatre and socially engaged arts sector. As part of our Making Digital Participatory Theatre programme we launched a series of online ‘seminars’ using Open Space Technology as the central methodology guiding the events.

Open Space Technology is highly participatory and democratic, they are participant-led events where the agenda and discussion are driven by those in the room. The meeting starts without an agenda, participants have the chance to explore the topic at hand before suggesting discussion topics. To add a Collective Encounters twist we add in ‘provocations’ from selected speakers to get participants thinking critically around the ideas involved. In the second part, we set the agenda together and participants are able to move freely between conversations, network and learn together

We have since delivered 13 online Open Space events and four in person events. You can explore the themes, discussion topics and feedback below.