The Aesthetica Future Now Symposium 2021
The Future Now Symposium returns for its sixth edition, doubling its length as a four-day arts festival exploring the mechanisms of art and culture with a significantly expanded programme of panel discussions, expert masterclasses, portfolio reviews and advice sessions, running live 28 April – 1 May, and is then available On Demand 2-31 May. This momentous four-day event brings together global institutions, galleries, publications and artists for discussion on the most pressing issues in today’s creative industries, from inclusivity and diverse programming to understanding the art market in a rapidly changing industry. This year, the sessions are available to stream from the comfort of your home. We’re also presenting an expansive programme of 100 ground-breaking films across the genres of Dance, Experimental, Documentary and Artists’ Film. The Future Now platform can be accessed on computers, smart TVs, smart phones and all tablet devices, with tickets starting from £20. Key topics for 2021 include Environmental Photography: How Can Images Save Us?; Curating During a Time of Change; Documentary & Ethics: When is it Your Story to Tell?; Digital Ecologies: Three-Dimensional Storytelling; The Business of Art: The Future of Collecting; Women Street Photographers: Reshaping the Canon; Arts Opportunities: What’s Available Post-Pandemic; Fine Art, Hip Hop, Pop Culture; and Deep Fakes: Control and Subversion in Art. Speakers include representatives from MoMA, New York; High Museum, Atlanta, Fondazione Prada, Milan; Tate, London; Gagosian, New York; International Center of Photography, New York; Leica Galleries; ICA Boston; MASS MoCA, Massachusetts; and British Council, as well as individual artists such as Fahamu Pecou, George Byrne, Athi-Patra Ruga, Bieke Depoorter, Shirin Neshat, Jane & Louise Wilson, and more. The 2021 Symposium is a particularly special event as it coincides with the 100th issue of Aesthetica, as well as the 12th edition of the Aesthetica Art Prize, with winner announcements, magazine launches and special events focused on idea generation and trailblazing names pushing the boundaries of contemporary art. The Future Now Symposium runs live 28 April-1 May. All sessions are available On Demand until 31 May. Tickets are priced between £20 and £50, from a 24-hour festival login to a month of content, with access to 100 films, 1:1 portfolio reviews with industry experts and advice sessions with Arts Council England.