A carnival of feminist cultural activism
3-5 March 2011, York, UK.

The Carnival was amazing. Thanks to everyone who participated and made it such a fabulous event.

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This carnival is part-festival and part-conference. The event brings together people from many nations to learn from each other, celebrate activist creativity, and advance feminist work. Come along for craft workshops, papers, performances and small exhibitions which explore ways in which art in many forms can open up spaces for thinking and for action.

We ask, can feminist art save the world, and if so, how?

we

are women connected to the Centre for Women's Studies at the University of York as students, alumni

and staff.


ask

The carnival is framed in an open way to encourage a broad range of topics, perspectives and methods

of presenting. Surprise us. Surprise yourself.

can

What is probable? Possible? Almost impossible?

feminist

The event encourages cultural modes that address issues of power and gender in some way. These modes need not be defined as 'feminist', a word which has many specific meanings,

not all of which are liberatory in all circumstances. However, we use the word to attract discussions that engage with women and/or gender in their cultural, social, symbolic, legal, sexual, representational, embodied and/or spiritual meanings via forms of art practices.

art

For the carnival, 'art' includes: community theatre, film, video, posters, poetry, music, blogs, dance, writing, textiles, zines, comedy, performance, manequins, tailoring, painting, cartoons, pottery,

sculpture, and much more.

change the world

locally and globally.What kinds of changes are needed now, and how might they vary in different cultures?

and if so, how?

Can feminist art practices affect people in order to make changes? Are art practices enough in themselves, or does art need to move people to social

action in order to be worthwhile? How does Third Wave Feminism deploy 'craftivism'practices as part of its philosophy? What kinds of feminist community art practices are effective, and what does 'effective' mean? What role does creative education play in gendered lives? What are the meanings of 'fun', 'emotion', and 'identity' in cultural activism?