9 September–29 October 2016

While 2016 is a time to remember the past; it is also an opportunity to re-imagine the future and to expand our perceptions of future possibilities for a brighter society. With their new exhibition, Perceptions 2016: The Art of Citizenship, Cork City Council Arts office, Crawford Art Gallery and CIT Crawford College of Art and Design are building on the success of the 2013 Art of Inclusion exhibition.

From 9 September – 29 October a diverse range of artwork will free-wheel across ten city venues, with subject matter ranging from a Beetle Circus, to television personalities Miriam O’Callaghan and Gay Byrne, buildings, love stories, machines, places, patterns large and small. 

Perceptions 2016: The Art of Citizenship will showcase the artwork of over sixty artists working in supported studio settings, both nationally and internationally. The exhibition will include a screening programme featuring animations, artist profiles, and more.

This exhibition will delight visitors, while seeking to prompt a real dialogue around creativity, ability and the active role that the arts can play within our communities. It is provocative, humorous and confident. The artwork demonstrates a mastery of materials and technique that undermines easy assumptions.

Perceptions 2016: The Art of Citizenship aims to broaden the range of voices, visions, perceptions and approaches to creativity that the public engages with in cultural venues. The project is based on the premise that, when we create spaces and opportunities to listen to a broad range of diverse intelligences, perspectives and voices, our knowledge, experience and understanding of the world is enriched. 

This exhibition will also showcase outcomes of the Expanding Realities project, a European Erasmus + funded partnership. Over the past 2 years GASP Cork, Art in Motion (AIM) Bristol and Debajo del Sombrero Madrid - have developed and exchanged approaches to engaging the creativity, and supporting the professional development of their artists. (www.expandingrealities.eu)

Artists and organisations presenting work will be involved in public engagement events, tours and workshops with the opportunity for schools, community groups, and any members of the public to get involved. For updates see: www.perceptions2016.com, www.crawfordartgallery.ie.

A symposium investigating our understanding of citizenship within the unique context of the Perceptions 2016 exhibition will be held on October 25 and 26. 

Details of full programme and for registration: www.perceptions2016.com