Culture South West is one of eight regional cultural consortiums and while we each address the same overall priorities, we do so in different ways, explains Sue Kay. This reflects the diverse make-up of our respective regions. If you ask us what we actually do, then you are likely to get eight different answers!
At Culture South West we ?join the dots?; we cluster individuals and organisations around good ideas which, through realisation, strengthen and add value to the cultural infrastructure for the benefit of those living, working and spending time in our region. We don?t fund, duplicate or take over anyone else?s work; rather we facilitate and champion a mosaic of partnership-based initiatives, plugging acknowledged gaps as we go, all within the context of the regional cultural strategy. The partnership element is paramount ? not least with the regional cultural agencies, the Regional Development Agency, the Regional Assembly, local authorities and cultural organisations.
Take research, for example... We and our partners were acutely aware that making the case for culture and progressing cross-sectoral research was seriously hampered by an incomplete regional picture of what data existed. We commissioned a research project ? Joining the Dots: an audit and analysis of existing quantitative and qualitative research data on the cultural sector in the South West of England ? which also helped pilot the Regional Cultural Data Framework (see ?Culture Club?, p5). This will form the basis of two sub-regional presentations in October ? so that we can share the findings with as wide a constituency as possible and canvas views on where our research and support work should be directed in the future. This project was steered by our Regional Cultural Sector Research Group which will also oversee the work of a new partnership-funded research officer post to be located with the South West Observatory.
...or continuing professional development... Our Cultural Sector Workforce Skills Group is currently working on a Leadership Development Initiative to help improve cross-sector skills, knowledge and networking and to help retain creative talent within the region. Through a consultation day with managers from all sub-sectors (arts, sport, tourism, media, museums, libraries, archives and heritage) we were able to assess the need for a scheme focusing on leadership, change and project management and explore preferred methods of delivery. We are now setting in place the funding and organisational infrastructure to make it a reality.
...or support for Creative Industries development... Our Creative Industries Development Manager supports sub-sector forums for design, the crafts and soon performing arts, and is working with partners across the region to maximise business development support from the South West of England Regional Development Agency.
...or advocating the role and importance of culture in community planning... Currently we are working with the regional cultural agencies, DCMS at the Government Office and three local authorities ? Plymouth, North Somerset and Dorset ? to pilot custom-made support for Local Strategic Partnerships, which can then be rolled out as case studies for others to use and adapt as they wish.
...or sharing new ideas and practices. ?Culture Works? is a two year programme of eight conferences aimed at opinion formers, decision makers and activists working at all levels in the cultural sector. They involve regional partners, different venues and formats, and speakers from the South West and further afield. Each one focuses on culture in a different context ? the regional economy, the research agenda, partnership working, the natural and historic environment, marketing, community strategy development, creative industries and widening participation.
All these initiatives are a sample of what we do. They have all been challenging in different ways, requiring us continually to question what we are doing, how and why. There are no laurels to rest on and dot-joining requires very flexible movement at times, together with the recognition that ownership needs genuinely to be shared if the consortium is to achieve its potential. We?re working at it!
Sue Kay is Director of Culture South West t: 01392 229587;
e: culturesw@southwestrda.org.uk; w: http://www.culturesouthwest.org.uk; http://www.culturething.com