Vision

To establish a nationally connected and internationally visible research network that advances interdisciplinary, practice-based, and community-engaged creative arts research, contributing meaningfully to cultural knowledge, public discourse, and policy development.

Objectives

The objectives of establishing the Creative Arts Research Network (CARN) are to:

• Foster interdisciplinary research across the visual and performing arts and related academic fields.
• Facilitate knowledge exchange and collaborative scholarship among academics, artist-researchers, and institutions.
• Enhance the regional and international visibility of Sri Lankan arts research through strategic dissemination, networking, and advocacy efforts.
• Encourage practice-based and community-engaged research that responds to local cultural contexts, lived experiences, and contemporary social issues.
• Promote creative innovation by recognizing artistic practice as a mode of research and knowledge production.
• Foster critical dialogue on creativity, culture, and the role of the arts in society, supporting informed academic debate and arts and cultural policy development.

Activities

To achieve its objectives, CARN will undertake a range of academic and creative activities, including:

• Interdisciplinary research seminars, colloquia, and symposia
• Knowledge-sharing forums and public lectures
• Practice-based research presentations and artist–researcher showcases
• Collaborative research projects and thematic research clusters
• Community-engaged research initiatives and outreach programmes
• Research dissemination through publications, digital platforms, and exhibitions
• Policy dialogues and consultative forums on arts, culture, and creative industries

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