Creativity in communities during Covid-19: developing inclusive solutions to global challenges
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Blog: Creativity is not a tool or guideline - it's a mindset
About the event
Our third event of the series - Creativity in communities during Covid-19 - explored how artists, entrepreneurs and leaders are finding innovative and inclusive ways of working with communities in response to the current crisis. Our guest speakers Rashmi Dhanwani, Jude Kelly and Tizzita Mengesha, shared their views and experiences from around the world in an open discussion and explored:
- How important is creativity in adapting to the challenges and opportunities presented by Covid-19?
- How can creativity provide innovative solutions for communities in crisis?
- Is creativity inclusive by nature, and what does it take to be creative?
Share your thoughts and any additional topics you would like us to cover via #ConnectedByConversations.
Our speakers
Jude Kelly
Jude is the Founder and Director of The WOW Foundation (an independent charity established in 2018), which runs WOW - Women of the World Festivals across the globe to celebrate the achievements of women and girls and confront global gender injustice. Starting at London’s Southbank Centre in 2010, when Jude was Artistic Director, the festival now takes place in 30 locations across six continents. Jude has directed over 200 theatre and opera productions and is the recipient of several theatre and music awards. Part of the bidding team, Jude created the programme for culture and ceremonies for the 2012 London Olympics, and subsequently advised both Rio and Tokyo on their successful bids.
Tizzita Mengesha
Tizzita is the co-founder and CEO of Maisha Technologies, a drone’s-for-good social enterprise based in Ethiopia. Maisha works to provide custom designed and built drones for use cases in medical delivery and agricultural mapping. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic Maisha has been working to 3D print Personal Protective Equipment for health care workers at the frontline of the fight. She is also a co-founding member of Social Enterprise Ethiopia, a social enterprise advocacy and support association in Ethiopia. She is a youth advisory panellist for British Government programs in Ethiopia.
Rashmi Dhanwani
Rashmi is the Founder of the Art X Company, a strategic consultancy for the cultural sector focused on strategy, audience development and sector research. Prior to founding Art X, Rashmi has worked with NCPA Mumbai, Breakthrough in Delhi, the newspaper Daily News and Analysis (DNA); Kalaghoda Arts Festival, and The Goa Project. She has been a recipient of a number of fellowships including ARThink South Asia Fellowship (2011-12) and a 2017 Global Fellow of the International Society for Performing Arts (ISPA). She holds a Masters in Cultural and Creative Industries from King’s College London.
Ojoma Ochai (chair)
Ojoma is Regional Director for Arts and Creative Economy Programmes for the British Council in Sub Saharan Africa where she works with colleagues across Sub-Saharan Africa and the UK to devise strategies and lead programme teams to deliver positive artistic, social and economic outcomes, particularly for young people. Before that, she was Director Programmes and Arts, Nigeria and West Africa for British Council. Ojoma is also a member of the UNESCO global expert facility on the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression. From 2014 to 2016, she supported the Nigeria World Bank Growth and Employment project, advising on approaches for film and music sector development.