Another solution - become folk universities?
Folk Universities are based around the idea that knowledge and learning don’t belong exclusively in organisations. They aim to democratise the notion of knowledge and involve a diverse range of people.
‘The Govan Folk University is a partnership of educational, arts, religious, community and social enterprise organisations. We come together so as to recognise and strengthen Govan as a place of learning. We aspire to reclaim the meaning of education in ways that deepen the many forms that it can take in the community. This includes honouring our cultural values and sharing skills that are born of experience and rooted in a sense of people, place and purpose - to serve all that gives life in Govan and the wider community’.
http://www.govanfolkuniversity.org/
Perhaps our arts organisations should become folk universities, or at least take a leaf out of their book. Do things that are not usually associated with our organisations. Make partnerships with unusual, diverse people. Work will need to be done on overcoming pre-conceptions and we must change our ideas on acceptable forms of behaviour.
