Image credit Len Grant

Playing With Fire is our long-term creative vision, co-produced by our participants and developed from a research project called ‘Spark.’ 

Fire has many attributes and the idea of ‘playing with fire’ many connotations. It can be – amongst other things – risky, transformational, hypnotic, beautiful, welcoming and challenging. 

Our bold creative vision, Playing with Fire, encompasses and reflects all of these fiery elements – from planned residentials in the great outdoors to street theatre and pyrotechnic spectacles; from edgy comedy to immersive performance incorporating dance, spoken word and music; from visual arts and design to photographic explorations and exhibitions. 

Playing With Fire offers participants opportunities to collaborate with exceptional artists to create works of artistic brilliance which will be shared publicly.  

Our aspirational vision challenges and enlivens participants and artists, pushing us all into new, exciting experiences. 

Playing With Fire takes us away from the confines of our own safe space and connects us with prestigious artistic institutions and cultural events. This encourages a sense of pride and self-belief. It enables our participants to enjoy and feel a part of the artistic riches of our city, seeing themselves as artists, with their work appreciated by others. 

Credit: Len Grant, from a fire drawing by Walk The Plank 

Playing With Fire gives participants real opportunities to co-produce, design and envision our future projects and creative direction, and to experience working across a wide range of artforms.  

We have been awarded a grant from Arts Council England to help bring our vision to life. Over the next few years, we will be working with fantastic artists and partnering with internationally acclaimed arts organisations and institutions to explore what it means to play with fire. 

If you would like to be invited to our Playing with Fire events, please email creativity@ourroom.org.uk