Arts School Futures Data Map

futures thinking…
is the way of creative and divergent thinking that is interested in futures-related phenomena based on the need for understanding futures possibilities, interconnections, and reasons for choice making.

futures consciousness…
the capacity to understand, anticipate, and prepare for the future.

futures image…
a systematic description of the future that is influenced by perceptions, concepts, and beliefs, framed by a scientific and cultural understanding of the world, and can include both realistic and imaginative elements.

future jump…
an imaginary leap in time to the future (target year) during a workshop/lab.

future path…
a narrative that describes how the image of a possible future can be realised step by step (causal processes and e.g., decision and actions points).

weak signal…
an indication of an emerging issue; an early sign of a change that may be meaningful in the future; often random, local, or seemingly ridiculous piece of information (e.g., local food waste refrigerator, robot strippers).

futures sign…
a weak signal consisting of three dimensions: the signal, the issue, and the interpretation.

trend…
a clearly visible phenomenon that causes change – development of change:

• megatrend – a slowly changing phenomenon with a clear developmental direction forming the future; often complex and connected to many variables;
• emerging trend – a new strengthening trend that is not yet common;
• counter trend – opposing existing trends or megatrends.

futures studies…
is a multidisciplinary field of study in its own right. It investigates models of change and why and how societies, environments, and organizations may transform. It embraces many fields and has stemmed from numerous sources, establishing a continuum rather than a fixed origin (Hines, 2020). Also, it has been applied for numerous purposes, including, for example, technological prognosis, business decision-making, strategic planning, and policy development in the current era of neoliberalism, but also more humanity-oriented and critical futures considerations (Son, 2015). Particularly in critical futures studies, such scrutiny includes, for example, the critique of capitalist society, power, injustice, and inequality. Also, it includes the consideration of alternative possibilities extending beyond dominant images of the futures relying on implicit assumptions. Futures thinking has contributed to, for example, democratization, social engagement, emancipation, and environmental sustainability (Son, 2015) […].

Source: FAST45 Arts School Futures Lab Guidelines

Learn more about futures thinking for and in the arts and art schools and check out the FAST45 Arts School Futures Lab Guidelines and the FAST45 Futures Scenarios!