Call for papers for Making Futures conference

Arts University Plymouth is hosting its biennial research platform, Making Futures, in October 2024, and is inviting contributions from designers, artists, makers, educators, scholars, policymakers, scientists and creators.

Convened and curated by Associate Professor Stephanie Owens, Dean of Arts, Design & Media at Arts University Plymouth, this year’s conference will explore creative encounters with current material research and innovation where artists, artisans and designers work across disciplines and communities toward a more equitable, sustainable and resilient world.

The programme of presentations, demonstrations and material masterclasses takes place from 17 to 19 October 2024 at the university campus in Plymouth, UK, and online.

The conference will explore social and material innovations, individual and global fabrication, analogue and digital technologies, knowledge production and exchange, archival and experimental processes, collaborations and partnerships, projects and products, studio pedagogies and practices which will influence the future of craft as a material practice and as a cultural idea.

Making Futures was established in 2009 as a platform for dialogue around contemporary craft and maker movements and how they relate to the creative industries in 21st century society.

Six conference tracks have been selected for 2024:

• Craftsmanship, Artisanal Knowledge and the Aesthetics of Place
• Rethinking the Relationship Between Body, Fashion and Ornament
• Generative Materials? Toward a Convergence of AI and Matter
• Softsystems – Biology, Networks and Post-natural Frameworks for Co-creativity
• Optimising Craft Techniques for Sustainable Alternatives to Extractive Practices
• Futurecraft – Pathways for Art, Design and Materials Science Research Collaborations.

The call for papers is now open online via this link. The deadline for submissions is 15 April 2024 at 5pm (BST).

Keynote speakers and details about registering to attend Making Futures in person or online will be announced in May 2024.