Join us online on 12 November 2025 at 14:00 - 15:15 for A Right to Decide: Empowering Young People to Shape Cultural Space, the second in a series of three Constellations ° Assemblies, curated by UP Projects, exploring spatial justice and the role that art and artists can play in advocating for more inclusive cities.
A Right to Decide will explore how public art commissioners and those working in urban development can work more equitably with children and young people to ensure their voices, needs and priorities are integrated into public policies, programmes and decisions. How can we ensure that children and young people can exercise their right to shape their cities, participate in decision-making, and enjoy a safe and inclusive environment?
Featuring case studies by artists and project commissioners, Helle Neigaard, Chief Consultant (CoC Playful Minds) with Rasmus Rosengren Nielsen, Co-founder (SUPERFLEX), and Adriana Marques, Head of Cultural Strategy for Thamesmead (Peabody). The event will be moderated by Manijeh Verghese, Director (Open City).
Further speakers will be announced shortly.
Helle Neigaard and Rasmus Rosengren Nielsen, both based in Denmark, will showcase Play Contract, a collaboration with internationally renowned artist collective, SUPERFLEX as part of the Danish town of Billund’s 10th anniversary as the “Capital of Children”. Through a process of co-creation with 121 children from Billund, SUPERFLEX developed an artwork that has become a new social space to meet across age groups to play, learn, move, and experience together.
Adriana Marques will talk about Was. Is. Will Be, a new commission by Turner Prize winner, Jasleen Kaur, for Cygnet Square in South Thamesmead. As the first piece of permanent public art in the square, Kaur was chosen following a competitive selection process, commissioned by five young creatives between 2022-2024. The work is inspired by members of the community who took part in cooking workshops as part of the project and shared their memories of the area and their hopes for the future.
Through this conversation, we will explore what commissioners and urban developers can do to ensure that the rights of children and young people are promoted and prioritised in shaping their built environment and cultural space.
As the decision makers of tomorrow, UP Projects believe young people are one of the most vital constituents to collaborate and create with today. By bringing young people into the conversation, we are not only empowering them to positively shape their neighbourhoods but are also helping them gain new skills and a deeper understanding of the world around them.
The event will be accessed via UP Projects’ digital participation space, The Hall, and will take place on Zoom.
To enable access to this high-quality programme, UP Projects operates a “Pay What You Can” ticketing policy for Assemblies, with a suggested donation of £5 per event. You can book by entering a minimum of £1.
Constellations ° Assemblies is curated by UP Projects and supported by Arts Council England.
Accessibility
Live captioning and British Sign Language interpretation will be available during all Constellations ° Assemblies. If you have any specific access needs, please email constellations@upprojects.com in advance of the event, and we will assist where possible. Alternative interpretation and access needs are generously supported by Arts Council England.
