The Cultural Framework – Culture In Our City

The band the 'Flaming Lips' are pictured on a multi-coloured stage at Brighton Dome. There are colourful balloons falling from the ceiling and inflatable human-size frogs at the back of the stage. A performer stands centre stage with grey hair and hands pointing to the sky. — Flaming Lips at Brighton Dome
Brighton Festival (2017) © Jamie Macmillan

The Cultural Framework is a map of actions and long-term ambitions, designed to create ways to strengthen the arts & creative industries throughout Brighton & Hove. By working together we hope, as your Commission, to achieve this vision for the city’s future.

We recognise that we are in the middle of a pandemic and as such our current goals are focused on the sector’s protection and recovery.

Short-term goals

Support the city’s Cultural Recovery Plan. Updates to follow January 2021.
Produce a city freelancer report documenting the impact of the pandemic.
Continue to deliver a local Arts, Health & Wellbeing conference. Online recording available soon (January 2021).
Continue to undertake a citywide Public Arts Strategy consultation.

Long-term ambitions

1. Create a leading inclusivity model for culture. Developing a best practice co-production model between neighbourhoods and local venues.

2. Be the best place in Britain to be a creative freelancer. Creating an inclusive sector, with capacity for leadership support.

3. Become a Centre of Excellence for the use of culture in promoting wellbeing via a Pay it Forward for Culture initiative linked to social prescribing.

4. Step up as the regional capital of creative productivity and create a robust Public Arts strategy. Championing innovation.

5. Be an irresistible magnet for creatives, visitors and investors. Be the best home for creative Small-Medium Enterprises in the UK.

The Cultural Framework ambitions were established via an extensive citywide consultation process. You can read the written documentation produced here.

The Framework Strands

Three figures are seated at an event titled The Coast is Queer. The middle figure speaks in to a microphone.

Our Inclusion Charter

The Cultural Framework has at its heart a commitment by the creative and cultural sector to cultural, ethnic and social pluralism in their organisations’ practices, processes and policies.

Two young children take part in a Family Fun, arts led workshop at Phoenix Art Space Brighton. They wear head scarves and are cutting out paper shapes.

Arts, Health & Wellbeing

Working towards the city becoming a nationally recognised Centre of Excellence for the use of culture in promoting wellbeing and addressing health inequalities.

The image is taken from above inside Platf9rm, Hove. There are a number of people working in a brightly lit co-working environment.

Bursting The Bubbles

Working towards the city becoming the best place in Britain to be a homeworker or creative freelancer.

Three figures stand inside and next to an art installation made of light and sound. There is a long red bulb on the right, a blue one on the left and these create an octagon shape around the figures. One looks to be djing or creating sound as well.

Creative Coast

Working towards the city becoming an irresistible magnet for creatives, audiences, visitors and investors.

An audience sits outside on a hot day on Brighton sea front - in front of them is a huge metal sculpture of an Iron Man controlled by a couple of performers on stage.

Open Up Arts

Working towards the city developing a leading inclusivity model for culture.

The Brighton Pavilion is lit up with hundreds of brightly coloured lights and projections - as dusk turns to evening.

The Brighton Experience

Working towards becoming the regional capital of creative productivity and creating a robust Public Arts strategy for the city.

A large blue moon-like sculpture is hung from a wire balancing above a pond. The background features a lush woodland or park area.

The Arts & Creative Industries Commission exists to champion our sector. We advocate the central role the arts and creative industries play in the city’s life and economy.

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People

Opening night at the Brighton Spiegeltent at Brighton Fringe 2019, Old Steine, City of Brighton and Hove, UK. A small group are photographed together smiling. The central figure is dressed up in green face make up, white hair and a silver gown, they stand outside the Spiegeltent in Brighton.

The Arts & Creative Industries Commission are a group of cultural leaders and voluntary members within Brighton & Hove, coming together with the mission to support the city’s arts and creative industries sector.

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