Future Now Symposium 2017

25 May – 26 May 2017

Addressing themes in today’s artistic climate through lectures, panel discussions and portfolio reviews, the Future Now Symposium 2017 considered the arts ecosystem within a broader social context. It established a place for the exchange of ideas, offering support, talent development and networking opportunities to those working in the sector.

This year, the event addressed how the arrival of the digital age has created an unprecedented feeling of alienation. Communication has changed and we now rely on technology to interact, presenting ourselves in ways that are evolving beyond control. The sense that the public is merging with the domestic has also spread into a larger, blurred depiction of reality. Surveillance is becoming a prevalent and inescapable issue internationally. Contemporary art is the mechanism that enables us to respond to this renewed understanding of living.

Welcoming speakers from some of the UK’s leading art organisations, publications and galleries, Future Now gave attendees the opportunity to meet those who are shaping the art world today. Topics included Curating for the 21st Century Audience; Sculpture Today: Dependent & Autonomous Objects; Innovation in the Making: Technology, Design & Digital; The Future of Art Journalism: A Panel Discussion, and Future of Photography: The Epic in the Everyday amongst others.

Representatives from the following organisations will be in attendance
Art Fund / Artangel / Arts Council England / East Street Arts / Edinburgh Art Festival / Elephant Magazine / FACT Liverpool / Glasgow School of Art / Hiscox / Holden Gallery / Ikon Gallery / Iniva / Jupiter Artland / Leeds Beckett University / Leeds College of Art / London College of Communication / Magnum Photos / Max Mara Art Prize for Women / Nesta / Nottingham Contemporary / Open Eye Gallery / PHOTOFAIRS / Photomonitor / Royal British Society of Sculptors / Tate Liverpool / University of York / Visual Arts South West / Wellcome Trust / Whitechapel Gallery / World Photography Organisation / York St John University / Zabludowicz Collection

The Future Now Symposium took place at York St John University, UK. All sessions were hosted on the university campus.

To see the full list of Speakers from the 2017 Symposium, visit the Speakers page.


Sessions: Thursday 25 May 2017


Sessions: Friday 26 May 2017