Selective memory, funder documentation and peacebuilding: recovering the art of reconciliation

The decades following the 1998 Good Friday/Belfast Agreement saw an expansion of support for cultural activities aimed at fostering reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Yet spite increase funder-led processes audit and evaluation, there exists a significant absence accessible data recording development, production experience such artistic practices. Using concept archive as site memory forgetfulness, this article explores how funders Art Reconciliation (AfR), power implicit their relationships with funded practitioners, influence what traces work are officially archived form. selectivity reflects managerialism associated liberal peace ideology that decontextualises depoliticises peacebuilding. In order to develop effective AfR practices, we explore ways recollect disseminate those aspects practice existing methods documentation have tended forget.