What do we mean by being data-driven?

Scrabble tiles spelling out 'data'
03 Oct 2024

In the first of a series of articles exploring what it means to be data-driven, David Reece argues that, while data is a powerful tool, cultural organisations must balance its use with human creativity and insight to ensure continued risk taking and innovation.

The partnership mindset: Think like a new town

Hoardings with the words 'A place for everyone'
25 Sep 2024

A good partnership is based on a few basic principles. But, as Jason Jones-Hall argues, it cannot be achieved without a partnership mindset.

Place-based partnerships: Delivering more together

Community volunteers in hi viz tabards
18 Sep 2024

Fiona Morris explores the wide-ranging benefits of arts organisations building place-based partnerships. 

Don’t let your marketers head for the exit door

Man holding box of possessions leaving an office with colleagues
26 Jun 2024

A survey of arts and cultural marketers reveals a growing sense of unfairness around pay and working conditions. Matt Ecclestone has the details.

Putting arts education in place

Image of Beacons, Conrad Shawcross art installation
20 Jun 2024

With the general election looming, Jason Jones-Hall explains why all parties should embrace an arts-led approach to place to enhance our children’s education. 

Local museums are much loved, but their future is uncertain

Children viewing an exhibit in a museum
13 Jun 2024

A new report into the challenges facing the museum and gallery sector has just been published. Rachael Browning outlines its key findings and the policy recommendations emerging from it.

What the arts can learn from LEGO

Lego bricks
30 May 2024

We've come a long way from the difficulties of recent years, and some key metrics are starting to show a positive trend. But we’re not out of the woods yet, writes David Reece

Census data 'a goldmine' for cultural policymakers

Census 2021 leaflets
15 May 2024

Cultural policy makers have not focused much on census data in the past, but that data is a goldmine for researchers, says Mark Taylor.

Creating space for collective learning

Performers on a stage looking up at multiple spotlights
09 May 2024

Evaluation reports in the cultural sector can be packed full of learning. Emma McDowell explores how we might unearth this existing knowledge.

Place isn’t just geography – it affects how we feel

Image of bridge across Tyne with Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Gateshead
21 Mar 2024

Cara Pickering and Sarie Mairs Slee examine how place-based collaboration can support innovative, creative-led regeneration of our towns and cities.

Joining the dots for better cultural policy

Light installation in Leeds
14 Feb 2024

As Anna Kime begins working with West Yorkshire Combined Authority, she explores how integrated data and evaluation can aid decision making and ensure the UK’s cultural and creative sectors continue to be world-leading. 

Has beauty become a dirty word?

14 Dec 2023

Artist Sarah Hunter, physicist Rox Middleton and philosopher Lucy Tomlinson spotlight what they learnt from spending a year exploring the cultural value of beauty. 

New funding landscape for the arts

East London youth dance company
30 Nov 2023

Impact investment is an ideal partner for the arts sector where taking creative risks, experimentation and imagination are second nature, writes Fran Sanderson

Audience behaviour: Where do we go from here?

Interior of Blackpool Winters Gardens showing empty foyer
12 Sep 2023

As the Covid aftermath continues to unfold, David Reece explores how audience behaviour has changed and what that means for the way the performing arts shape future success.

Unravelling the legalities of the stolen British Museum artefacts

Glass roof inside the British Museum
11 Sep 2023

The scandal of the British Museum thefts has sparked an immense, international public reaction but, as litigation expert Rosie Adcock explains, determining rightful ownership of stolen relics is complex.

‘Apple doesn’t sell fruit’

Young man sitting in an office drinking from a bottle branded 'Prim
06 Jul 2023

What’s in a name? And how does an organisation go about changing its brand identity? Lauren James has some top tips.

Springing back into action: new insights

Graphic showing a person speaking into a mic, a meter, tickets, emojis, mobile phone
26 Apr 2023

Most people in the sector don’t need to be analysts but they do need the insight to make changes that speak to audiences. Here, Anne Torregiani shares how this thinking has shaped The Audience Agency’s next-generation suite of audience insight tools. 

Weathering the cost-of-living storm across the UK

Storm clouds and lightning
08 Dec 2022

Research rings warning bells about the potential effects of the cost-of-living clouds rolling in across all four nations. Anne Torreggiani asks how we can brace for impact and support communities? 

Creating spaces for reflection and connection

29 Jun 2022

With a wealth of experience leading and facilitating peer learning programmes, Amanda Smethurst reflects on the critical requirements for an impactful learning experience.

‘Make it SO’

17 May 2022

In the last in our series profiling the shortlisted candidates for City of Culture 2025, Claire Whitaker says Southampton has been connecting the UK with people across the globe for thousands of years.

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