Last week, the OAUK team joined national and international outdoor arts and circus professionals in Great Yarmouth for FRESH STREET – an inspiring international conference co-organised by Circostrada Network, Artcena, and Out There Arts in partnership with OutdoorArtsUK.
The event kicked off with a warm welcome from Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England, who opened the first morning session: Welcome to Great Yarmouth – An Introduction to Placemaking. Sharing the stage were Joe Mackintosh, Artistic Director of Out There Arts, and Alice Brunot from Artcena/Circostrada Network, setting the tone for three days focused on placemaking, inclusion, and the future of Outdoor Arts.
We were very pleased to have Darren Henley, CEP of Arts Council England open Fresh Street acknowledging that our sector’s “superpower” being our ability to bring diverse people together. He also pointed to ACE’s commitment to internationalism and Outdoor Arts, through supporting Out There Festival’s international programme, Global Streets network, and Xtrax’s work with Manchester being partner city to La Merce in Barcelona.
Later that evening, we gathered at The Ice House for the official launch of FRESH STREET, which also celebrated the completion of this historic building as a new National Centre for Outdoor Arts and Circus. This milestone is a key step toward establishing Great Yarmouth as the UK Capital for Circus and Outdoor Arts. Find out more about the opening here.
Darren Henley, JMA Photography
The Ice House, JMA Photography
The Ice House Launch Party, JMA Photography
Morning Session: Art, Place and People
Our Director, Sho, opened Day Two with a dynamic morning session alongside Vicki Amedume of Upswing Aerial, titled “Art, Place and People: Shaping a Community Through Creativity.”
Together, they explored the vital role that artists and organisations play in building meaningful relationships with place and community – reminding us that creative practice is often the glue that binds people, stories and spaces. Sho spoke to the particular strength of Outdoor Arts in “finding commonality” – in bridging difference and connecting diverse audiences in public spaces.
Sho Shibata, OAUK Director, JMA Photography
Sho Shibata, OAUK Director
Vicki Amedume, Upswing
Panel Discussion: Creating with Communities
Later that morning, Sho also chaired the “Creating with Communities” panel, featuring a brilliant lineup of contributors from across the world, including Freshly Greated (UK), Kamchàtka (Catalonia, Spain), Room 100 (Croatia), Teatro Línea de Sombra (Mexico), and Cie Basinga (France).
The panel delved into what meaningful co-creation looks like in practice — beyond consultation or engagement, towards genuine collaboration. Sho posed thoughtful questions like:
“Where is the spark or the beauty? What makes your work good?”
The panel’s thoughtful responses underscored the importance of recognising community creativity, understanding context, and examining the artist’s own intentions. It was an honest, energising and essential conversation that captured the heart of this year’s FRESH STREET themes.
Climate Café at the Beach of Dreams Village
Our General Manager David chaired an afternoon panel session at the Climate Café, located right by the sea at the Beach of Dreams Village, with our Co-Chair Lorna Rees joining the panel alongside other contributors. This space offered opportunities for attendees to share ideas and reflections on climate change and the role of the arts in addressing environmental challenges. David’s facilitation helped guide meaningful discussions on how Outdoor Arts practitioners can foster climate awareness, resilience, and action.
Brian Eno Keynote Speech
Across three days, we heard powerful provocations – including from Brian Eno, who reminded us:
“Artists won’t solve climate change. But artists can create new ways of being… ways of scrutinising and analysing, that will prepare us to do these things.”
It was a fitting reminder of why gatherings like FRESH STREET matter: they challenge us, connect us, and renew our commitment to creating work that resonates far beyond the stage.
Brian Eno, JMA Photography
Looking Ahead
The OAUK team would like to congratulate our colleagues at Out There Arts, Circostrada, and Artcena for creating space for vital exchange and to thank everyone who joined us in Great Yarmouth. We had inspiring conversations, engaging panel discussions and had the chance to speak with our members in-person. We’re excited to carry this energy forward as we continue supporting Outdoor Arts professionals across the UK and strengthening our international relationships.
We then went on to watch so many brilliant shows at Out There Festival – an event which brought £4million to Great Yarmouth’s economy, attracting 65,000 attendees. Find out more here.
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