What: “Power Object” is phrase used by campaigner and craftivist Sarah Corbett. It describes a hand-made object which reminds the maker of the power they have to create and to change things around them, both physically and conceptually. In the enSHRINE Project these objects were made out of policy documents.

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Why: Making these objects can form a “backdrop” to conversation about policy change (by using current organisational policy documents which need updating) or policy development/ creation (by taking policy document from other organisations as a basis)

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Specific policy application: This activity is useful as a starting point for general policy discussions and can be used specifically for conversation around health and safety, safeguarding and saver / braver spaces policy. Follow this link for a Power Point which can be used in / adapted for workshop settings.

How does it work:

• The act of cutting up/ re- making/ re- cycling policy documents offers a very practical opportunity to see the documents in a different way

• The completed object(s) can be kept in a prominent place in the work space to remind participants of their “power” and their ability to make (objects and decisions)

• The house template is designed so it can be folded and un-folded multiple times, the physical act of re-making the house uses “multi-sensory learning techniques” to prompt recall of the conversations, feelings, ideas and decisions which took place whilst it was originally being made.

• The form of a house and theme of the crafting session (House, home, freedom and safety) can be used to encourage specific discussion around what a safe/ safer/ braver space can look and feel like

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“Project Exchange Rates” describes an approach to exploring, negotiating, communicating and managing responsibilities and benefits of collaborative art making.  "Exchange Rates" are developed collectively with people involved in each project. They have included things like:

• organising access / wellbeing support

• deciding what types of behaviours are acceptable in a project and ways in which everyone involved can support one another in these

• deciding how people are credited

• exploring approaches to copywrite in collaboratively created artworks

• agreeing the number of hours each person will dedicate to a project

• finding ways for the project to benefit the local environment 

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          "In socially engaged projects ( like this one) we talk about the “Exchange Rates” of the project. This means           what people are putting into the project and what we all hope to enjoy in return. Often people involved are         putting their hard work, creative skills and imagination into the project. In exchange we think everyone                deserves recognition for this. That is why everyone involved is invited to be named as co-authors. "

​Part of a statement from Lady Kitt and artist Sofia Barton about the exchange rates developed in their Durham University artist residency,  2020-21

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In "enSHRINE" Kitt developed a "Policy Exchange Rate" template for organisations. This highlights the desire of an organization to consult on policy and develop open, care-filled, nuanced, mutually supportive relationships with members/ audiences / staff / constituents. This document is intended as an introduction to the role policy can play in supporting these symbiotic approaches. There is a link to a google doc template here:

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"Policy Exchange Rate" template for organisations

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