Dr. Cathy Paton to co-lead the development of Centre [4] Art and Research

Centre [4] Art and Research is designed to: facilitate meaningful and equitable collaborations between artists and researchers in the Hamilton community, to highlight and facilitate art and research, and to develop accessible resources and sustainable infrastructure to support these activities.

Cathy’s fellowship is jointly funded by the Faculty of Social Sciences Community Research Platform (CRP) and Centre 3 for Artistic + Social Practice, a community-based arts resource that supports artists with creation, production, presentation, and dissemination; conducts research; and engages with the wider community through social practice.

The fellowship is co-supervised by Chris Sinding (School of Social Work, and Acting Director of the CRP) and Colina Maxwell, co-founder and Social Practice Director of Centre[3]. James Gillett, Director of the CRP and Associate Professor in the Department of Health, Aging and Society, will also support the fellowship, as will Leora Sas van der Linden, Program Manager of the Community Research Platform.

One of the goals of Centre[4] is to create space for artists, artful practices and researchers to shape research activities. Centre4 is learning from past and ongoing collaborative Centre[3] projects, in order to develop effective and relevant resources and supports for those engaged in arts and research activities. Centre[3] Social Practice Director Colina Maxwell emphasizes that a unique and essential aspect of this project is that, although Centre[4] is in partnership with academia, its work and motivation are centered in the community.

Paton notes that a fundamental perspective of the project considers where and how art and artists are located within practices of creating knowledge. In response, Centre[4] will work towards intentionally centering artist presence, input, and practice, moving towards providing a sustainable, community and art-centered space.