Statement of Philosophy and Mandate

DA.DA&Projects — Developing Art and Design Awareness is a registered not for profit organisation established in Trinidad and Tobago in 2011. Our broad aim is to facilitate the development of and installation of public art in Trinidad and Tobago in ways, which enhance and protect the physical environment and support the surrounding communities through collaborations, partnerships, and support networks for art and artistic-ecological projects that are environmentally sustainable.

For us, public art is defined as art that is placed in a public location and available for public use and engagement. This art usually involves community involvement, public processes (including public funding) and could be permanent or temporary. Public art can be differentiated from other forms of art in public spaces, as the latter can simply refer to pieces of fine or contemporary art installed in public. As noted by Segedin (2008), public art is characterised by the meanings they have for the people and communities in which they are placed.

Our approach is guided by philosophies of social justice and socially engaged practice which is collaborative, often participatory, involves people, and facilitates progressive social change. We also aim to contribute to the emergence of a Caribbean Social Justice Aesthetic which asks the question — what are the social justice aesthetic values being offered to the space, inclusive of the people who inhabit that space. The work of this organisation therefore, also involves activism to stimulate philosophical and intellectual thought among artists and designers through projects that involve work with communities — urban and rural and collaboration with national, regional, and international organisations and institutions. From here we can arrive at a vernacular that is indigenous and unique to this country and region.

In order to fulfil the philosophy and mandate of this organization, our activities include: programme and project development, mentorship, fund-raising, publications, public sensitization, symposia, and support networks for environmentally sustainable art installations and interventions. Our activities can be encapsulated in the three words: educate, activate, facilitate.

Educate:

• To educate the public on the aesthetic and social justice contributions of public art; and its possibilities through symposia, conferences, public lectures, webinars, short courses and communications media (traditional and new media).
• To bring together emerging and more established artists and designers to provide mentorship and critique.
• To seamlessly integrate our commitment to environmental sustainability and environmental education into the work of the organisation e.g. public art and design projects, public lectures, round-table discussions, symposia, conferences, and online communication.
• To work with others to enhance the overall quality of local public art production involving — visual artists, photographers, filmmakers, designers, architects, public intellectuals, cultural studies scholars, social justice advocates, philosophers and theorists, critically evaluating past and current understanding of public art and design practice, philosophy and implementation.
• To facilitate cross-fertilisation of ideas and public art practice among artists and designers locally and in other parts of the region and internationally.
• To offer support to artists, designers, and organizations in areas of our knowledge, skills, and competence when necessary.
• To publish, for wide distribution, materials related to public art and design.
• To support artists and designers whose work and ideas are in keeping with the aims and objects of this organisation.

Activate:

• To work actively with other organisations and institutions to develop the work of artists and designers in Trinidad and Tobago and to encourage and facilitate new and dynamic forms of public art and design exploration by visual artists, sculptors, designers, and thinkers.
• To work with and encourage local artists/craftspersons/tradespersons to create ‘public art’.
• To encourage NGOs and other not for profit organisations to create/support public art projects.
• To propose projects that advance the aesthetic discourse nationally and internationally encouraging a diversity of views and the blossoming of an aesthetic democracy.
• To work with local, regional, and international organizations to conceive of and host competitions that reflect the philosophy and mandate of this organisation.

Facilitate:

• To work with local artists, designers, and organizations whose work aligns with our philosophy and mandate to create opportunities for public art through funding and logistical assistance.
• To raise funds to facilitate the work of this organisation and its support to ongoing work in relation to public art.
• To encourage private sector organisations including those in communities, to support public art projects.
• To work with communities to understand their needs and connect them with interested artists.
• To develop or encourage the development of data collection systems aimed at the documentation and preservation of public art.
• To identify possible locations and help bring artists and communities together for collaboration.
• To lobby for allocation of public space for public art installations & artistic development.
• To host PR events to provide exposure for work and installations of artists to engage communities, relevant state agencies and businesses (donors).

Core Values:

• Social Justice
• Indigeneity
• Creativity
• Community
• Connection