New ways to tell stories

Photo of a silhouette of a person wearing diving ear in front of a digital projection of the ocean
14 Mar 2019

A key barrier to growth in the immersive technology industry is a lack of content. It’s a gap tailor-made for the cultural sector to step into, says Tonya Nelson.

Breaking new ground

An image of two overlaping pixelated sun-like objects, on the horizon, with root-like pixelations in the foreground
14 Mar 2019

Drew Hemment and Feimatta Conteh explain how a data-driven artwork encourages crucial public engagement with an environmental observatory.

Listening to children on climate change

Photo of Cap-a-Pie cast member working with a group of young school children
07 Mar 2019

What does climate change mean to the generation it will impact most? Brad McCormick explains how primary schoolchildren have been working with climate scientists to develop their own play.

Working with real people

Photo of a group of skateboarders
28 Feb 2019

Opening up decision-making about what art gets made and by whom doesn't lead to people 'playing it safe', but to programmes that engage more people, more deeply. Tamsin Curror examines the evidence.

An unexpected gift

Photo of four people helping pack mailouts
28 Feb 2019

A welcome surprise of five-year funding provided the opportunity for Cardiff's Sherman Theatre to diversify its audiences, boost volunteering and develop a relationship with a time credit network. Julia Barry tells the story.

A breath of fresh air

Photo of three woman skimming stones on a beach
21 Feb 2019

The port town of Felixstowe proved an ideal setting for exploring less cerebral ways of engaging with contemporary art, writes Natalie Pace.

The talk of the town

Photo of two actors discussing an audience member's question via laptop
07 Feb 2019

When Ron Evans started thinking about how to make post-show talks more appealing and accessible, he found audiences hungry for new ways of engaging with the arts.

Taking art out of the box

Photo of The Japan Pavilion at the Biennale di Venezia
31 Jan 2019

Biennials have emerged as a key influence in contemporary exhibition-making. Shwetal Patel and Sunil Manghani explain how a more informal approach to art opens up new experiences and audiences.

Turning engagement patterns upside down

Photo of a man and woman in ballet dress addressing a family on the street
17 Jan 2019

How can arts and culture reach a broader audience that more accurately reflects local communities? Sarah Boiling explores how to change the pattern of who engages with the arts.

How to... develop a CRM strategy

Photo of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
03 Jan 2019

How can arts organisations develop the best possible strategy for their customer relationship management and ticketing systems? Helen Dunnett suggests some steps to make the task easier.

Letting youth lead the way

Photo of a group of children colouring
03 Jan 2019

National Trust venues are engaging with new audiences by empowering young people to run events with local communities, says Hattie Clayton.

Liverpool stands by ‘insulting’ logo design competition

A crowd of people and tall ships at a dock
20 Dec 2018

The city region authority is offering a prize of £800 for a “simple but visually impactful” design to be used across print and online promotional materials for the £200k a year initiative.

Also this week...

A woman surrounded by blocks of ice
14 Dec 2018

As Tate Modern's latest art installation starts to melt away, AP's Jonathan Knott reflects on how art can play a role in tackling environmental challenges.

Capturing the essence

An anotomical drawing representing the failure of a project
22 Nov 2018

When invited to carry out a creative evaluation of the first three years of Creative People and Places, Sarah Butler decided that the best approach was to have fun.

Engaging audiences on tour

Actors collecting coins off the floor during a production
22 Nov 2018

While touring three productions around the UK, Unlimited Theatre developed a model for working with venues to engage local audiences. Tessa Gordziejko explains the role of the local engagement practitioner.

Review highlights evidence of class bias in arts funding

The outside of London's National Theatre at night
16 Nov 2018

The tendency for people from higher social grades to be more likely to attend arts events is down to a mismatch between current funding priorities and the public’s taste, rather than any lack of demand, an evidence review suggests.

Fighting for customer attention

Photo of a group of people looking at their phones
15 Nov 2018

Just providing entertainment is no longer enough to draw in audiences. But by focusing on what people value, arts organisations can maintain strong relationships with customers amid competing demands for their attention, writes Dave Wakeman.

A different kind of dialogue

Cartoon showing large picture in  gallery and two men
18 Oct 2018

Approaches to assessing cultural value are stuck in a financially reductionist ‘value = money’ orbit. We should be examining people’s experiences of culture, and the meaning that comes from those experiences, says Julian Meyrick.

Rules to shake up city theatre

Photo of three people acting with cameraman
04 Oct 2018

The city theatre in Ghent, Belgium has a new rulebook, aiming to open it up to the independent scene and international touring. Milo Rau introduces his 'Ghent Manifesto'.

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