School of Activism 2019
PRSC presents the School of Activism
Easter Holidays April 3rd – 22nd 2019
Climate change getting you down? Brexit and austerity making you sick?
You are not alone.
We are all sick and tired of feeling helpless and angry. And these days it’s hard to remember that we are not powerless.
The School of Activism is here to remind us all that the power to change the world is in our hands. We make our own future.
This Easter, the Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft invites everyone to a programme of workshops, events and activities designed to empower and inspire. From making a zine to building with eco-bricks; creating a photo story to planning a flash mob, the School of Activism will help you develop the tools to change the world.
Activists, broadcasters, journalists and comedians, photographers, campaigners and street artists will be sharing their secrets at the School of Activism. PRSC has teamed up with Extinction Rebellion, ReSpace Projects, Bricking-It Bristol, TalkBox and the Bristol Learning Co-op to create a programme of activities for all ages from 8 to 98.
Many of the workshops are free, or run on a donation basis. All of them are as affordable as we can make them. Some are aimed at children, or teens or specifically for adults, while a lot are for families to do together, or are open to everyone.
So come down to the School of Activism and together we will change the world.
PRSC – Learning by Doing.
School of Activism – Curriculum
TEENS / YOUNG ADULTS WORKSHOPS (12-25y)
11/04 – Flashmobs and Projection Bombing (12-18y)
ADULT WORKSHOPS (14y+)
3/04 – Bristol Learning Co-op: Building a new model of education for Bristol
7/04 – Land Rights and the fight for Cultural Spaces
9/04 – Documentary Making with Jeremy Bristow
10/04 – PRSC Radio introduction
10/04 – Bristol Learning Co-op: Building a new model of education for Bristol 2
11/04 – Talk Box – Lauri Love on Hacktivism, Surveillance and Privacy
17/04 – Bristol Learning Co-op: Building a new model of education for Bristol 3
18/04 – Talk Box – The Rise of Veganism
20/04 – Talks on environmenal policy & possibilities, followed by Film Screenings
School of Activism – Curriculum
MON 15 Banner Making, TUE 16 Poster Making & WED 17 Badge Making for Kids Against Climate Change
11am-1pm, Meet at Space at PRSC
In the week of April 15 to 22, Extinction Rebellion will be holding large climate change protests in London. They are calling on all environmentally conscious citizens from around the UK to join them in bringing the London traffic to a halt.
PRSC invites all kids against climate change to come and make banners, badges or posters in solidarity with Extinction Rebellion and all the activists – young and old – who are putting themselves on the front line of the battle to save the world.
Let the world know you care.
Spread the love.
- Drop-in sessions – no need to book
- Suitable for children aged 8 and over
- Families welcome.
- Entry by donation (donations used to cover the price of materials)
Mon 15 - Mask Making with Art4Change
suitable for all ages – just pop in!
2-4pm, free entry
Space at PRSC NEW DATE TBC
The aim of this workshop is to create masks which portray hidden emotions and thoughts, to give a sense of how people really feel. The masks created in previous workshops will also be exhibited during this session.
We all wear ‘masks’ every day – without them our lives would not be possible. However these everyday masks are different from the masks that conceal what shouldn’t be hidden – the painful thoughts and feelings that are associated with mental ill health.
This workshop focusses on our relationship with mental illness with a final goal of reducing negative attitudes and raising awareness of the importance of our mental health and how this is viewed in society.
WED 3, 10, 17 & 24 APRIL - Learning from the Heart, Hand, Head and Whole Self
8-10PM, Space at PRSC
A four-part course which invites participants to come together to reimagine and recreate the future of education.
The course will create a community, a body, of learning.
Each evening will explore one aspect of this body of learning – heart, head, and hand – with the final session bringing all the elements together in the whole body. These evenings are designed to inform and support one another but it is not necessary to attend them all and each evening can be treated as a unique workshop.
TUE 16 APRIL - Satire and the Art of Comedy
12-2PM, Space at PRSC
Throughout history, satire and activism have gone hand in hand. The art of bringing low the powerful and mocking the institutions that uphold society has played a key role in many periods of change.
Come and learn about the art of satire, its intriguing history and its power and relevance to modern Britain, as well as how to write and perform jokes with Bristol based stand up comedian and satirist Jon Matthews.
Buy tickets here: https://www.prscshop.co.uk/products/satire-and-the-art-of-comedy
No one turned away through lack of funds.
TUE 16 APR - Reading the Streets
2-5pm, Meet at Space at PRSC
When we actively engage with the urban environment we find a wealth of information.
Reading the Street
Join an exploration of the mixed up symbology found on the streets of Stokes Croft. Starting with a primer of things to look out for and thinking about the possible intentions behind various signs and symbols we’ll encounter, we’ll head out into the chaos, and explore the neighborhood with it’s densely layered textures, colours and messaging.
£5
Book tickets here: https://www.prscshop.co.uk/products/reading-the-streets-writing-the-streets
TUE 16 & WED 17 APR - Roller Slogans
free/donation* All ages
5.30-7pm, PRSC Yard
Join us for a free drop-in session, any time between 17:30 & 18:30, and get some tips and tricks for painting big lettering with just a roller and some paint.
Paint some BIG words on our practice wall, and learn the basic skills to quickly apply lettering on almost any surface.
Session is led by street artist Object000.
Paint, rollers & overalls provided.
Suitable for all ages but under 14s need to bring an adult.
WED 17 APR - Eco-Bricks Workshop for Teens
2-5pm, PRSC Yard
Ecobricks are means for individuals to take personal responsibility for their plastic by containing it and turning it into free building materials that can be given back to the local community.
Not only do ecobricks stop plastics finding their way into landfill or the ocean, but also reduce the energy it would take to transport or ship them elsewhere.
In this workshop we will learn how to make eco-bricks and how to build with them.
THU 18 APR - Badge, Banner and Poster Making for Humans Against Climate Change
2-5pm, PRSC Yard
In the week of April 15 to 22, Extinction Rebellion will be holding large climate change protests in London. They are calling on all environmentally conscious citizens from around the UK to join them in bringing the London traffic to a halt.
Unfortunately, what with jobs, family commitments and other life obligations, not all of us can move to London for a week in the name of the planet.
But fear not! That doesn’t mean that we can’t support the cause.
PRSC invites everyone to come and create a banner, poster, placard or badge with messages of solidarity for Extinction Rebellion and all the activists young and old who are on the front line of the battle to save the world.
Drop-in session – no need to book
Suitable for all ages but under 14s need to bring an adult.
THU 18 APR - Writing the Streets
2-5pm, Meet at Space at PRSC
Following on from the ‘Reading the Streets’ investigation we’ll think about what kind of messaging we might want to put out there, how best to approach making that, and where it could be placed for maximum impact.
We’ll look at various forms of freehand painting, stencils, paste-ups [monoprint], and explore tips and tricks for DIY image reproduction. Depending on what technique you end up working with we’ll produce something which you can take back out and spread around yourself, or the means to produce this.
Suitable for all ages but under 14s need to bring an adult.
£10
Buy tickets here: https://www.prscshop.co.uk/products/reading-the-streets-writing-the-streets
THU 18 APR - TalkBox // The Rise of Veganism
7-10.30pm, Space at PRSC
Veganism is quickly becoming a mainstream trend, with a record Veganuary just gone & more companies bringing vegan products to market. Vegan entrepreneur & speaker Loui Blake leads a talk on what’s driving the movement, the reasons why its important and what’s necessary to maintain the momentum. Through an open, honest & immersive discussion, we hope to tackle some key issues in the movement and look at where it is heading.
Loui is founder of the UK’s largest plant-based restaurant, Erpingham house, and London’s most famous vegan eatery, Kalifornia kitchen. He has previously worked with Wagamama to position their vegan offering, as well as numerous start-ups in the sustainability space as a brand & marketing consultant.
TalkBox is a community organisation designed to get people away from their screens, collectively engaging in talks, debates and panel discussions across Bristol.
Ticket prices & booking info to follow…
FRI 19 APR - Family Puppet Making Workshop
£4 * All Ages
12-3PM, Space at PRSC
Strange things are afoot in Stokes Croft this Easter…
There’s a dinosaur on the prowl and he wants all the money and all the land and he doesn’t care what he destroys to get it. The creatures will have to work together to protect their homes and each other.
But the story can’t begin without you!
Kids needed to help assemble the characters and to help them to boldly step into the story.
Workshop led by lifelong puppeteer and story teller Tony Fortune.
Suitable for families with children aged 6 and over.
Workshop includes making the puppets, learning how to use them and putting on a puppet show.
All materials provided. Take your puppet home.
No one turned away through lack of funds.
Book your place here: https://www.prscshop.co.uk/products/family-puppet-making-workshop-friday-april-19
SAT 20 APR - Ecobricks Workshop for All Ages
1-4PM, PRSC Yard
Ecobricks are means for individuals to take personal responsibility for their plastic by containing it and turning it into free building materials that can be given back to the local community.
Not only do ecobricks stop plastics finding their way into landfill or the ocean, but also reduce the energy it would take to transport or ship them elsewhere.
In this Easter Saturday workshop we will learn how to make eco-bricks and how to build with them.
Suitable for all ages (under 14’s need to bring an adult).
Sat 20th - Eco-Conference, followed by Film Screening – the Power of Community & The Bentley Effect
10am-4pm Eco conference featuring guest experts from the world of sustainability.
All ages welcome
Free entry
7pm Movie double bill – films looking at how two very different communities faced fuel crises.
All ages welcome.
£4 entry – but no-one turned away through lack of funds.
Tickets available at Headfirst: http://hdfst.uk/E52950
Linsenced bar.
Solidarity Action with Extinction Rebellion
Unfortunately, what with jobs, family commitments and other life obligations, not all of us can move to London for a week in the name of the planet.
But fear not! That doesn’t mean that we can’t support the cause.
On Easter Sunday PRSC invites you to head out into the streets with us in a solidarity protest.
Depending on funds, timings & levels of interest this will either involve a coachtrip to London or a sister protest in Bristol.
Watch This Space
Guerilla Urban Regeneration
Head out into Stokes Croft with us and lets improve the neighbourhood!
A spot of gardening, litter picking and painting is just what the doctor ordered.
Free entry.
Drop in any time.
Week 1 Curriculum
WED 3, 10, 17 & 24 APRIL - Learning from the Heart, Hand, Head and Whole Self
8-10PM, Space at PRSC
A four-part course which invites participants to come together to reimagine and recreate the future of education.
The course will create a community, a body, of learning.
Each evening will explore one aspect of this body of learning – heart, head, and hand – with the final session bringing all the elements together in the whole body. These evenings are designed to inform and support one another but it is not necessary to attend them all and each evening can be treated as a unique workshop.
FRI 5 APRIL - The People’s Comedy
7PM, Space at PRSC
On the first Friday of every month, the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft present a revolutionary event. The UK’s only sociopolitical comedy night, where Bristol’s satirists deconstruct the power paradigm to comedic effect, and the acts ACTUALLY get paid. A fantastic night of political, social and cultural comedy featuring some of the most exciting grassroots comedians of Bristol and beyond.
April edition will feature special guest: Simon Munnery!
SAT 6 APRIL - Bristol Transformed
10AM – 11PM, Space at PRSC
Bristol Transformed is a festival of politics and culture in which we will discuss and engage with the exciting ideas and innovations emerging from the Left. It is inspired by the World Transformed festival, which takes place alongside the Labour Party conference, and is planned and run by a group of volunteers.
Impressed by the quality and diversity of the program and we are bringing it to Bristol!
10 – 11.30am – Public Speaking Workshop
11.45 – 1.15pm – Acorn Workshop
2 – 3.30pm – Power Mapping Workshop
3.45 – 5.45pm – Social Striking
Evening – Pub Quiz
SUN 7 APRIL - Street Photography with Colin Moody
12-3PM Meet at Space at PRSC
See the city afresh with this workshop from a passionate and prolific Bristol street photographer Colin Moody. In this 3 hour workshop we will explore Stokes Croft, peering into the hidden corners and searching for the true spirit of this unique neighbourhood. The workshop will introduce new techniques for capturing urban life as Colin shares his own approach to the subtle art of street photography.
Workshop suitable for all ages (no unaccompanied children)
SUN 7 APRIL - You Are Being Watched – Privacy Matters
3.30PM Space at PRSC
Why should you care about privacy?
How many companies have your personal data right now and what are they doing with it?
What is Signal and how can it help?
Find out in this short but important workshop from Mat – a tech coordinator at the Cable Co-operative newspaper.
SUN 7 APRIL - Land Rights & the Fight for Cultural Spaces
4-9pm Space at PRSC
All communities need space. Space to meet, to learn, to play, to create and to share ideas.
But today cultural venues all over Bristol are at risk of closure, or already closing.
These talks explore the issues that led to these problems and look at some innovative ways people have found to protect cultural spaces in these difficult times.
4PM – Tales from Europe’s autonomous venues
4.30PM – Respace Projects Presentation
5.30PM – Old Library Muller Rd – a CAT Story
6PM – Antlers & Bricks – why a roving art gallery is settling down
6.30PM – Stokes Croft Land Trust
7PM – Round Table Discussion “The future of our community spaces and what we can do to protect them?”
MON 8, TUE 9, and THU 11 APR - Rebel Story Time for Kids
11am-1pm Mon & Thu, 11am-12 Tue
Space at PRSC
A classic story reading session for children.
Across three mornings Lisa and Sue will be reading a story of social justice or rebellion to fire the imagination. After the reading there will be a creative challenge – draw your favourite character or write what will happen next.
This activity is suitable for children aged 8-12 (younger kids are welcome if they bring their adults with them!).
No booking or entry fee for this event.
All are welcome.
There will be a donation pot at the end to help cover the cost of materials.
Tea, coffee & juices will be available from the cafe during these sessions.
MON 8, MON 15 & THU 18 APR - Shoot It Tell It; a guide to creating a photo story
£30 * Ages 12-18
1-5PM Meet at Space at PRSC
Do you have something to say? Or a story to tell? Over three sessions photographers Lisa Furness & Colin Moody will take you through the process of creating a photo story.
Part 1: a session on choosing your subject and introducing basic photography tips and techniques.
Part 2: review session, a chance to look through what has been done so far and agree on the next steps
Part 3: last session to put the final, edited photo stories together.
The course will end with a public screening of the finished photo stories created during the course, friend & family are welcome to attend.
Course costs £30, some spaces available at £10. Book your place: https://www.prscshop.co.uk/products/shoot-it-tell-it-a-guide-to-creating-a-photo-story-school-of-activis
TUE 9 APR - Documentary Making with Jeremy Bristow
£10 * 14y+
12-5PM Meet at Space at PRSC
Accountability is the cornerstone of democratic power and documentary film makers are essential to a healthy modern society, uncovering hidden scandals, exposing corruption and bringing truth to the public.
Now is your turn to become one of the truth seekers.
Is there a story you want to investigate? Or a secret you want to reveal?
Award winning documentary film maker, and hidden camera specialist Jeremy Bristow will share the secrets of his trade in this 5 hour comprehensive workshop.
Jeremy Bristow is a retired producer, formerly with the BBC Natural History Unit. Starting his career in journalism and current affairs, he decided to concentrate on environmental issues after witnessing the deforestation during a filming trip to Cambodia in 1995; going on to produce films on climate change with Sir David Attenborough and win major international film awards in Britain, the US, Brazil, China and Japan.
Book a place here: https://www.prscshop.co.uk/products/documentary-making-with-jeremy-bristow-school-of-activism
WED 10 APRIL - Puppet Making for Kids
£4 * Ages 8-12y
10AM-1PM, Space at PRSC
Strange things are afoot in Stokes Croft this Easter…
There’s a dinosaur on the prowl and he wants all the money and all the land and he doesn’t care what he destroys to get it. The creatures will have to work together to protect their homes and each other.
But the story can’t begin without you!
Kids needed to help assemble the characters and to help them to boldly step into the story.
This activity is suitable for children aged 8-12 (younger kids are welcome if they bring their adults with them!).
Tea, coffee & juices available from the cafe at this time.
WED 10 APRIL - Zine Making Workshop
3-5PM, Space at PRSC
An accessible affordable way of sharing ideas and information totally independent of formal and commercial systems, the Zine has been the activist’s go to tool for ever.
Zine fanatic Sophie Sherwood will share with you the art of creating this classic, low-fi, DIY form of publication.
All are welcome to this workshop (kids under 14 must remember to bring an adult with them).
Materials and equipment provided.
Standard price is £8, some places available at £4 buy tickets here:
https://www.prscshop.co.uk/products/zine-making-workshop-school-of-activism
WED 10 APRIL - An Introduction to PRSC Radio
5.30PM, Space at PRSC
The busy beavers at PRSC have been quietly working away in the background for the last year and have created an all new radio station PRSC Radio, a 24 hr internet station to provide a platform for the people of Stokes Croft & beyond to share their ideas, learning & musical tastes.
We have the station. What we need is YOU!
We aim to do justice to the creative potential of Stokes Croft and the surrounding area, and to give a voice to the marginalised.
Do you want to be on PRSC Radio?
Come along to find out how it works, how to get involved and what to consider.
Free entry. No booking necessary.
After this session, there will be the chance to return the following week (Weds 17 5.30pm) for an individual 15 minute recording session to create a 5 minute blog in the media suite.
THU 11 APR - Screenprinting Workshop
£5* Ages 14y+
6x 30min sessions between 1pm & 4pm
Last December PRSC finished building a screenprinting room in our ever growing headquarters.
Since then PRSC has worked with our ally Ross at Bathtub Printing to produce a beautiful range of hand screenprinted greetings cards commemorating the Paris uprising of ‘68 and reproducing some of the incredible designs and messages that came from the Atelier Populaire (workshop of the people) during that momentous time.
On April 11, 1-4pm Ross will be opening up the screenprinting room to the public to come and have a play. In each 30 min session visitors can choose a pre-made screen to produce a screenprint, which can be taken home.
Book yourself a slot here: https://www.prscshop.co.uk/products/screenprinting-workshop-school-of-activism
THU 11 APR - Flash Mobs and Projection Bombing
1-3PM, Space at PRSC
Learn about flash mobs and message bombs, and get inspired to DIY in your own campaigns.
A flash mob is a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and seemingly pointless act for a brief time, then quickly disperse, often for the purposes of protest, entertainment, satire, and artistic expression.
Projection Bombing (outdoor digital projection in urban environments) is a great method for getting your content up big before the eyes and in the minds of your fellow city inhabitants and then disappearing back into the city.
THU 11 APR - Know Your Rights!
3.30-5.30PM – Space at PRSC
A workshop from Extinction Rebellion that gets right to the point.
Under British Law you are a citizen of the state and not a subject of the crown.
Have you been stopped and searched? Are you nervous of getting on the wrong side of the law? Do you know what you are and aren’t allowed to do if you are questioned by the police?
This workshop will help you to nswer these questions and to face the tangles of British law with more confidence.
WED 3, 10, 17 & 24 APRIL - Learning from the Heart, Hand, Head and Whole Self
8-10PM, Space at PRSC
A four-part course which invites participants to come together to reimagine and recreate the future of education.
The course will create a community, a body, of learning.
Each evening will explore one aspect of this body of learning – heart, head, and hand – with the final session bringing all the elements together in the whole body. These evenings are designed to inform and support one another but it is not necessary to attend them all and each evening can be treated as a unique workshop.
THU 11 APRIL - TalkBox // Lauri Love on Hacktivism, Surveillance and Privacy
7-10.30pm, Space at PRSC
Lauri Love is an English/Finnish computer scientist who has a long history of involvement in political activism. He played a prominent role in the student and Occupy movements in Glasgow during 2011-12. He faced potential extradition to the United States for his alleged involvement in #OpLastResort, the series of online protests that followed the persecution and untimely death or Aaron Swartz. He is increasingly being recognised as an expert on hacking, surveillance and privacy issues in the UK and has a made principles stand against the country’s forced encryption laws.
Today, Lauri works in network security and has particular interests in digital civil liberties, rights to use strong and effective cryptography, the [re]decentralisation of services and media platforms and the facilitation of political and activist organisation and action online.
SAT 13 APRIL - A Tribute to Raphaël Dufresne
free / donation * Age 14y+
times tbc, Space at PRSC
Art exhibition and concert in memory of Raphaël Dufresne activist, musician and PRSC volunteer.
More info tbc