Aquatic Pathways, Playable City Recife, photo by Beto Figueiroa, 2014
Expression of interest: Playable City Sandbox
Closing Date: Fri 12 August, 10:00 BST 2022
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Across the globe, Playable City (which puts people and play at the heart of the future city) has built a networked community of creatives, producers and citizens, unlocking social dialogue and play through a series of hybrid labs, talent development programmes and playable installations. We have spent some time reflecting on how the world has changed and how we can more proactively address barriers to play and participation in public space.
"Playable city ideas are a human response to the coldness and anonymity of the urban environment. By encouraging activities that bring joy, we can create a happier, more cohesive urban future" - The Guardian
Growing the global network, Watershed is now launching its first UK Playable City commission since 2016. We are inviting creative SMEs, artists, designers, architects, technologists and creative practitioners to propose new and distinctive ideas responding to the theme. We will do this using our Sandbox methodology as part of the ideas development process.
We will award six teams up to £45k each to develop a Playable City prototype that will reanimate our cities post-lockdown by inviting people to play and connect - person to person, person to city.
The application process has two stages:
- Stage 1: Apply with an expression of interest for an Ideas Lab (the half day Ideas Labs will run on Thu 8 and Mon 12 Sept 2022 at Watershed, Bristol)
- Stage 2: After you have attended an Ideas Lab, apply with an idea for a Playable City prototype idea.
Find out everything you need to know about the theme, the opportunity, the application process and FAQs in the Overview documents below:
Deadline for Stage 1 expressions of interest is Fri 12 Aug, 10:00.
Playable City Sandbox is part of the the MyWorld IDEAS programme, funded by UKRI. You can read more about MyWorld here.
How to apply
Apply via our application form here. If you have any access requirements please contact Rachael Burton on myworld@watershed.co.uk. Applicants can be based anywhere in the world, but you need to attend the Ideas Lab in Bristol in person in September 2022.
Closing Date: Fri 12 August, 10:00 BST 2022