Community Keel Kitchens

COMMUNITY KEEL KITCHENS is a project or Agora Now, a network for artists and social transformation. We plan to build a boat, SLOW BOAT, in Norfolk and Suffolk that moves along the coast. This will be the third hub of Agora Now, joining our other two in Rotterdam, Netherlands and Buenoa Aires, Argentina. In 2024 we created Liquid Becomings, a nomadic space where artist crews sailed four boats on four European rivers.

SLOW BOAT will be a creative space where everyone is welcome. A space that brings people together and connects us to the world in which we live.

In 2025 we undertook a listening journey from King’s Lynn to Felixstowe. From conversation and sounds we have created a short sound work. We are sharing Community Keel Kitchens in different locations in Norfolk and Suffolk. You are warmly invited to join us for food, conversation and share you ideas for what SLOW BOAT can be.

https://espacoagora.space/

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Everyone is welcome. Community Keel Kitchens are free, friendly, and designed so anyone – whatever your background or experience – can take part. We are collaborating with a local partner in each location. The event is free to attend.

What are Community Keel Kitchens? Led by newly formed Suffolk based arts organisation Agora Now East Anglia C.I.C., the Kitchens are part of a long-term project LIQUID BECOMINGS 2.0 | SLOW BOAT. We want to build a boat that moves up and down the Norfolk and Suffolk coast—a creative hub where everyone is welcome. In 2025 five Agora Now artists went on a listening journey from King’s Lynn to Felixstowe over 7 days. They asked everyone they encountered two questions: What do you love about this place? What would you like to happen on the boat? From the conversations and sounds we have created a short sound work. Community Keel Kitchens are the next step.

What will happen at the event? Each event will start with a short introduction and sharing the sound work, followed by open discussion and food.

Let’s imagine, together, the possible futures of the coastline and places we love: We want to hear local perspectives and ideas for what SLOW BOAT can be and how you would like to be involved. At each event we will invite you to create a short sound episode that shares your ideas and fresh perspectives (all equipment provided). We believe that who gets to imagine the future matters.

More about Agora Now:  Agora Now East Anglia C.I.C. is the UK arm of Agora Now, an international network for social and artistic transformation with hubs in Rotterdam and Buenos Aires. It was founded by Suffolk born and now based curator, producer and writer Naomi in the Netherlands in 2021.  In 2024 Agora Now was unanimously awarded the commission to curate the European Pavilion 2024 with Liquid Becomings where artist crews sailed sustainable boats on four European rivers, ending with an artistic and community festival in Lisbon. Liquid Becomings is one inspiration for what we want to do here.