Lancaster Arts and The Gregson Community & Arts Centre are coming together to present the Festival of Dissent on Saturday 5 September.
The whole building (and beyond) will be taken over by surprising creative opportunities to explore what dissent can mean through art, ideas and shared experiences.
What does dissent mean to you?
We often think of dissent as protest or public action. But every act of dissent begins somewhere. Perhaps it begins with the moment you question something you’ve always accepted. The decision to do things differently. The courage to imagine another way.
Some experiences will invite you to take part. Others ask you to pause, notice or look again. However you choose to spend your time, we hope you'll leave with new ideas, new connections and perhaps... a little changed.
Who is it for?
Festival of Dissent is for everyone. Whether you're an artist, student, local resident, family, curious visitor or someone discovering Lancaster Arts or the Gregson for the first time, you'll be welcome.
The full programme, including artist commissions, booking information and event timings, will be announced over the coming weeks.
Come curious. Leave a little changed.
Schedule for the day (find full descriptions of each activity here)
The Lightbulb Moment
11am–5pm
You are invited by Proto-Type to put on headphones and peer into a miniature apartment building, where the lives of its residents quietly intertwine.
The Sculpture Kit
11am-1pm
Join artist Ellie Barratt to transform everyday materials into unexpected sculptures. Some sculptures will become part of the festival itself! Book here.
This Is Not a Cinema
11am-5pm
Not every film belongs in a cinema. Not every cinema behaves like one. Curated by Adam York Gregory and Gillian Jane Lees, this rolling programme brings together locally made films that challenge expectations, expand our idea of cinema and celebrate stories that rarely make it to the big screen.
What if Dissent Isn't What We Think It Is?
11am-12pm and 2pm-6pm
What if dissent isn't what you think it is? Through thoughtful prompts, unexpected objects and shared conversation, you'll turn the idea over together. Curiosity is all you need to bring.
Agency of Small Acts
11am–5pm
A quiet department has opened for one day only. Step inside and become an Agent. You'll be issued with a confidential mission.
The Living Room
11am–6pm
Step into Queer by Gum's ‘Living Room’ for a quieter moment in the day. Whether you'd like to make something, have a chat, pause for a while, or simply recharge.
Walk. Wonder. Walk Again.
11.30am Accessible Walk, 2pm Explorer Walk, 4pm Explorer Walk
Join artist Jessica Emsley on a gentle walking workshop exploring Miss Whalley's Field through close observation, reflection and simple acts of making. Book here.
No Such Thing
12pm, 12.45pm and 1.30pm
When was the last time you had a conversation with a stranger? Join one of our hosts for a free lunch in the Cafe and explore a menu of questions about everyday life, the world around us, and the things that matter. Very limited places. Book here.
In My Own Words
1.30pm–4pm
Join artist Claire Dean to create a placard that's genuinely yours and explore what you believe, question or care about through conversation, writing and making. Book here.
What Happens If
2pm–6pm
What happens if curiosity becomes something you can step into? Spend time with three encounters that have grown from a summer of questions, conversations, and unexpected discoveries.
A Party of Dissent!
7pm–11pm
A DJ, dancing, unexpected moments, the odd interruption and a few things we're not quite ready to reveal. Wear orange, or pick up an orange ribbon when you arrive!
Additional fun throughout the day...
Pass It On
As you explore the Gregson, you may come across unexpected traces of other people's stories, thoughts and reflections, quietly woven into the building in surprising ways. Some are easy to spot. Others are waiting to be discovered.
Keep an eye (and an ear) out...
From 2pm
Not everything appears in the programme. Throughout the day you'll encounter spontaneous interventions by musician Loz Kaye. You might even find yourself in them!
Please find access information for the venue here.
