Better Making at Central Saint Martins

Central Saint Martins, Room C303 | Friday 23 May, 3-5pm

Join us for the launch of Better Making: the transformative creative social prescribing model developed by the Art programme at Central Saint Martins (CSM). Staff, graduates and students are trained to use the Better Making model to facilitate contemporary art workshops that emphasize collective making, creative wellbeing and skills development.

At the intersection of social prescribing, public art commissioning, and art education, Better Making represents more than just a new programme – it's a statement of intent. Better Making is a response to the question of the future role of art schools in shaping practices of care and creativity in civic spaces.

This event is for UAL students and staff and there’s no need to book a ticket – simply drop in on the day to be part of Better Making.

Be among the first to experience: 

The Better Making Workshop Handbook – our innovative toolkit for designing, delivering, and evaluating transformative creative workshops.

Authentic insights from current Better Making Student Champions and alumni – who have participated in creative health initiatives, offering insight into the opportunities and challenges of working in this emerging field.

Thought-provoking keynote by Jes Fernie – an independent curator in the public realm and creator of the international research project 'Archive of Destruction', on the intersections between social prescribing, public art commissioning, and art education, followed by discussion, on how these connections can inform new approaches to the future of art school, practice and research.

Expert perspectives from our panel:

• Jason E Bowman — Artist-curator and MFA Director, HDK-Valand Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
• Daniel Regan — Artist, Creative Health Consultant, and Founder of London Arts & Health Hub
• Alice Walton —  Senior Curator, Schools and Teachers Programme, Tate
• Marley Starskey Butler - an interdisciplinary artist and social worker. Currently, Eastside Projects Incidental Artists 

Shape the future of Better Making:

For staff: Become collaborators in our expanding portfolio of projects, share your expertise

For students: Come to our launch on 23 May  to hear how to get involved with our workshops or apply to become a Better Making Champion and gain specialized training, professional connections, and real-world experience in this rapidly growing field.

The event concludes with refreshments and networking – connect with speakers, innovators, and potential collaborators.

Engage with the UK's first art school-produced social-prescribing hub. Contact: bettermaking@csm.arts.ac.uk