Natural capital gets lots of air time because banks - in their ongoing quest to own the world - like to invest. Social capital? Not so much. They're so tricky, humans, aren't they - with their foibles and need to be treated humanely? Dan Thompson bangs the drum on behalf of all of us. He is expert at unlocking potential in people and places that are ignored. If he was in the private sector he'd have a knighthood!
Lucy Siegle, Eco writer, founder Observer Ethical Awards, broadcaster, The One Show
DT is a visionary, an artist with a heartfelt sense of what matters in the real world, and the gumption to make it happen, not once but often. It's unusual to spend time with Dan and not to come away inspired.
John-Paul Flintoff, journalist and author of How To Change The World
Dan Thompson showed the best of Britain by helping organise the clean-up operation after last summer’s riots.
David Cameron, Prime Minister
Dan's art practice reflects social and cultural themes found by working with the local communities. The results are both democratic and critically challenging for audience and participants alike.
Julia Riddiough Founder A Brooks Art www.abrooksart.com
Our relationship with Dan goes back many years, initially to Worthing and Shoreham where, as an artist, collector, activist and organiser, he booked The Caravan Gallery to participate in various cultural events. These were frequently curtailed due to bad weather, our involvement being the obvious cause.
This has not stopped us collaborating over the years in various parts of the country, at festivals and on empty shop projects, where Dan's knowledge, enthusiasm and love of 'characterful' B&Bs is second to none.
We look forward to the next time, but can't promise there won't be torrential rain.
The Caravan Gallery
Fervent anti-UKIP activist
UKIP Spokesman
“Take a look around, and you see pop up cinemas and pop up cafes, pop up shops and pop up workspaces. And even those establishments that have been around a long time may suddenly have the word pop up in front of them. What’s going on with this pop up phenomenon? What are pop ups and why have they become so popular?”
[…] Up Business For Dummies is written by the Empty Shops Network’s founder Dan Thompson. It follows on from his previous guides to using empty shops for pop up projects, 2009′s […]
[…] BBC, he is writing and publishing works such as his ‘Pop Up People’ report and his book ‘Pop Up Business for Dummies’. Not to mention, running his own business Revolutionary Arts. To find out more information on Dan […]
Reblogged this on Alex Arts Manager and commented:
Some good stuff to think about as I’m pushing the idea of Pop-Up Storytelling in the Midlands for Traditional Arts Team.