Ethical Matters:
Useful Art
22nd March 2026 · 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Doors open: 2:30pm
Brockway Room | Virtual event

Does art have to be beautiful? What if it can be useful instead? For over a decade Professor John Byrne has been working with artists and curators to explore how art can resist, engage with or offer alternatives to the current conditions of global neoliberalism. From Turner Prize-winning urban regeneration projects to bakeries, vegetable gardens and multi-use arts spaces – join John as he explore the ways in which Useful Art can bring people together, and offer an artistic toolkit for implementing radical change.
John Byrne is Professor of Useful Art at Liverpool John Moores University’s School of Art and Creative Industries. His work and research is defined by an interest in the relationship of art to use, use value and the kind of job or labour that the work of art has now become. His book, Useful Art: How Activist Artists Can Change the World, will be available to purchase at the event.
Age Recommendation:
All ages. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Price:
*A £2 venue levy is applied to each ticket purchased. This levy helps to support us in covering the costs of keeping our grade II listed building running and our doors open.*
In advance: • Standard £10 • Living Support £6 • Student £7 • Member FREE (+ £2 venue levy)
On the Door: • Standard £11 • Living Support £7 • Student £8 • Member FREE (+ £2 venue levy)
Online: • Standard £7 • Member FREE (+ £2 venue levy)
Access Information:
This event is in the Brockway Room, which is located on the ground floor. The talk will also be livestreamed.
All the ground-floor rooms are fully accessible by wheelchair. Main Hall (street access, step-free), Brockway Room (street access, step-free), Bertrand Russell Room (street access, shallow ramp), Cafe (street access, step-free). There is also an accessible toilet on the ground floor opposite the Brockway Room.
Further Info
This event will be held with an in-person audience at Conway Hall and online via livestream. Everyone wishing to join this event must register for a ticket in advance.
If you have any accessibility enquiries, please contact us at info@conwayhall.org.uk / 07442 405 055.