CDF Network Cultural Development Gatherings provide a timely reminder of the value of culture to our towns, cities and communities and explore its role in supporting growth across all parts of the country. Gathering-26: Project Legacy is an opportunity to bring people together, to connect in a physical space and to help set the agenda for the next phase of culture-led growth and opportunity, with a focus on building a long-lasting legacy in place-based cultural projects.
Register now for your free place – this event will sell-out!
Main Purpose
Following our previous successful, sold-out events in Worcester and Rochdale, this event is to celebrate the completion of the third round of CDF projects across England. Supported by the Government’s Cultural Development Fund, (CDF), which is delivered by The Arts Council, these projects continue to provide perhaps the best ongoing examples of a wide range of strategies, approaches and models for place-based development through investing in cultural infrastructure – both tangible and intangible. Whether you are preparing bids for Town or City of Culture, Arts Everywhere funding, heritage-led regeneration projects or developing policy, place-based strategies or funding, this event will help you share learning from significant major cultural infrastructure projects currently being delivered nationwide.
Who is this event for?
Audience will be a combination of specifically invited guests and an open call across the creative and cultural sectors. This event may also be of particular interest to those developing bids for City/Town of Culture or for those considering options and opportunities around the £1.5bn Art Everywhere/Cultural Infrastructure funding recently announced by DCMS. Our previous events attracted audiences comprised of:
- National and local policymakers
- Senior representatives of funders and Arms-Length Bodies (ALBs) including Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England, English Heritage etc
- Senior figures from across the cultural sector, including CEOs of leading cultural organisations and National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs)
- Academics and researchers
- Senior project leads across the heritage sector
The venue is fully accessible and BSL interpreters have been confirmed through our local partners, dDeaflinks Staffordshire, for all panels and presentations. Registration includes morning and afternoon coffees and buffet lunch will be provided.
Key Policy Connections
Gathering-26: Project Legacy connects directly to the Government’s Missions, specifically to Kickstart Economic Growth and Break Down Barriers to Opportunity. Key topics and themes discussed at the event will connect with current and emerging policy initiatives including:
- UK City and Town of Culture
- £1.5bn DCMS Arts Everywhere cultural infrastructure funding
- Create Places Growth Fund
- Create Growth Programme
- Culture and Heritage Capital Framework
- Cultural Devolution and LGR
- Civil Society Covenant
- Sector Plan for the Creative Industries
- Arts Council England Independent Review (Hodge Review)
Key Themes
Key topics and speakers will include:
- Project Legacy – how do we look beyond the typical 3 year funded project cycle and deliver projects with sustainable and viable legacies that continue to deliver impact on investments in culture and cultural infrastructure long into the future?
- Leadership, Ownership and Operations – looking through the lens of the CDF3 projects, this event will explore the different models and approaches taken across a diverse portfolio of projects spread across the length and breadth of England.
- Test and Learn – how can cultural organisations, local authorities, funders and policymakers build from a strong strategic vision that still allows room to flex and develop during the project delivery cycle?
- Launching (not landing) – how do we approach the cliff-edge of the end of a funded period as an opportunity to fly, not fall? How do we build our projects as a hang-glider rather than as a bungee cord?
- Culture as Catalyst – exploring the wider impact of cultural infrastructure on place and place-based strategies. How do we leverage the impact of culture and and culture-led regeneration in place transformation?
Networking Event
Delegates staying in Stoke-on-Trent overnight prior to the main Gathering-26 Symposium are welcome to attend a CDF Networking Event on the evening of 18th March from 7pm – 9pm at the Factory Floor, Quarterbank at Potbank . A complimentary shuttle bus will operate between Stoke Railway Station, Potbank and the Hilton Garden Inn hotel for the duration of the Networking Event.
Free Heritage Walking Tours
We are delighted to partner with the Potteries Heritage Society to offer visitors to Stoke two specially commissioned Heritage Walking Tours taking place immediately prior to the Networking Event (18th March) and the Gathering-26: Project Legacy symposium. Strictly limited places of 25 people per tour on first-come, first-served basis. For more details and to secure your place now, click on the links below:
- Heritage Tour 1: Hanley and Shelton (18th March, departs 4pm from outside Hilton Garden Inn)
- Heritage Tour 2: Stoke Town Centre (19th March, departs 4:30pm from Stoke Civic Centre)
About the Cultural Development Fund (CDF) Network
The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) Network is the national collective that shares best practice and generates knowledge to capture and celebrate the success of the DCMS CDF investment.CDF round three projects are spread across the entire length and breadth of England, including Barnstaple, Bradford, Medway, Morecambe, Stoke-on-Trent and Walsall.
