About

We are The People Speak – a group of international artists, cultural producers, science communicators and activists based in Tower Hamlets, East London. We have 28 years’ experience in designing innovative formats, immersive experiences, and skills development programmes that tackle social polarisation and ignite authentic community engagement.

Critical thinking tools for the world to take over itself

Our fun and interactive participatory interventions help exercise collective critical thinking.  Our formats inform public decision-making and deepen connections between diverse groups of people. We employ multiple media, performance styles and technologies to engage and stimulate diverse minds and push the boundaries of what a conversation can be.

Talkaoke – our iconic talk show

Invented in 1997 by Mikey as a live art experiment, Talkaoke has grown in popularity ever since. With a host at the centre of a glowing round table and participants driving the agenda, Talkaoke is non-hierarchical, spontaneous and unpredictable. Central to Talkaoke is the idea that conversation is a creative medium and diverse perspectives can work together. Don’t worry if your thought is not fully formed – we will complete it together during the session.

Our other formats

We design bespoke engagement experiences in response to a themes or a creative challenge for a range of communities: Who Wants to Be? – a direct democracy game show, The Slice is Right – pizza making under different political systems, Quacktion Time – Question Time-style discussion panel with animals, Heal the Net – a collective algorithm cleansing ritual, One Night Grandstand – a kick-about fused with the excitement of a football stadium, Segue – a generative instant film-making factory… and many more.

Training programmes 

We deliver one-off and long-term creative skills development programmes for young people, scientists, professionals, artists and communities in the UK and Europe. From Talkaoke-style creative communication skills to critical thinking and in action, participant-led pop-up art schools, deeper community engagement and impact strategies – our workshops offer hands- on experience for all.

Our partners

We have delivered projects in partnership with most national cultural institutions and arts organisations: British Council, The British Library, Camden Arts Centre, all Tate Galleries, National Theatre, Southbank Centre, Science Museum, V&A, In Situ.

Universities and academic institutions: University College London, University of the Arts London, Goldsmiths, Imperial College London, Queen Mary University London, Ravensbourne, Natural History Museum, University of Westminster, the Francis Crick Institute, King’s College, University of Bielefeld (Germany).

Festivals: MozFest (International), Genomics & Biodata (UK/USA), Impact (Germany), Shambala, LIFT, The World Transformed, Supernormal (UK).

Social and youth charities: Streets of Growth, Newham Youth Services and most London boroughs.

Follow us on social media

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