urbanflo is a socially engaged collective of arts professionals who share a vision of equity and excellence in the cultural sector.  We specialise in participatory and inclusive initiatives, offering expert advice and creative support to individuals, groups and organisations.

We are UK-based associates mainly operating in the South East, but with regional, national and international partners and networks, encompassing the wide range of creative disciplines associated with performing arts, visual arts, music and film. We also have a strong representation of expertise in leadership and organisational development with partners from the cultural, commercial and voluntary sectors. Together we collaborate to produce, programme and promote creative work - developing artists, audiences and cultural agencies.

At the helm of urbanflo’s multi-disciplinary team is Creative Producer Jenni Lewin-Turner, who has over 20 years experience of both mainstream and culturally-specific arts practice and delivery.  As well as recently being named amongst the top 50  "Women to Watch" in the Cultural Leadership Programme's prestigious national list, Jenni works in close collaboration with a diverse range of highly skilled associates with specialist knowledge in arts, community, education and corporate development.

The urbanflo team boasts a rich and dynamic skills base, with a strong track record of delivering effective bespoke arts management services and creative products. The diversity of our work demonstrates our flexibility to handle a wide range of projects of any scope and scale; from grassroots community initiatives to major campaigns for local authorities; from international artistic collaborations to inter-generational projects, plus everything else between and beyond!

2010 most definitely has an international theme for urbanflo and current projects in development this year include '6 Degrees', a creative exchange programme linking artists, projects and audiences from the UK, Caribbean, Canada, the Americas and Africa.  Also in the pipeline is an arts symposium called 'Significant Others...' aimed at stimulating intellectual analysis and critical reflection on the UK's 'inclusion' and 'participation' agendas.  Both projects hope to highlight worldwide creative connections and to develop synergistic partnerships in order to achieve real intercultural dialogue and produce innovative opportunities for more people to take part in the arts - especially those who currently have limited access.  Another key aim is to facilitate a unique collaborative platform for creative exhibitions and performances by artists from a range of backgrounds and disciplines, in a truly vibrant programme of events.  The research so far has involved participating in the highly inspiring Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator in Jamaica and Puerto Rico.  These exhilirating cultural exchanges included collaborative exhibitions featuring experienced artists from the USA and Caribbean, juxtaposed with the amazing talents emerging from the Edna Manley College of Visual & Performing Arts and Universidad del Sagrado Corazón.   Further international research and development for '6 Degrees' will be taking place in Canada, Australia, South Africa and Argentina.

Our current UK-based projects include a commission by Sustained Theatre South East Hub (STSEH) and Arts Council England to undertake a consultation of BME creative practitioners.  This extensive survey will encompass the 75 local authority and district areas that constitute the South East region.  It aims to explore views, needs and aspirations regarding the key national Sustained Theatre recommendations relating to International Working, Leadership, Critical Debate and Spaces.

All urbanflo associates are committed to playing a part in improving democracy in the cultural landscape, leading on projects that enhance social cohesion, participation, cultural exchange, artistic investment and capacity building. In keeping with this ethos we are particularly keen to work on programmes that support and expand creative practice that is genuinely inclusive; increasing the diversity of artists, audiences and administrators, whilst facilitating participatory opportunities for all sectors of the community.

Our strengths include;

• Collaborative Working - fostering and building on strong partnerships on all levels
• Community Outreach - educational projects and initiatives targeting marginalised groups
• Participation & Inclusion - community projects and celebratory events
• Capacity Building - advice and support to empower individuals, groups and organisations
• Audience Development - building new and diverse audiences

Background

urbanflo started life as an innovative project set up for a team of associates who recognised the benefits of collaborative working and wanted to get together to make films, learn from each other and trade time or experience for the benefit of the whole group. With a strong and diverse talent base of writers, producers, directors, actors, artists and musicians, levels of expertise ranged from novices to highly experienced industry professionals, and the team contributed to a range of short films made throughout 2003 and 2004.

The project has since diversified and the faces on the team have changed over the years, however, the collaborative ethos remains intact and urbanflo now incorporates arts administration, marketing, business development, project and event management in its portfolio, with the collective exploring their creative synergy to develop a new narrative space for representing the experiences of ordinary people with an interest in the arts.

Other UK arts-based projects we've been involved in include the Brighton Children's Book Festival, plus the Redemption Song Programme - a major year-long campaign produced on behalf of Brighton & Hove City Council to commemorate the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, featuring over 50 different creative events and projects.  We have also continued to provide an advisory service for a range of artists, offering support, funding information, networking opportunities and mentorship.