Cultural Recovery in the City
We’ll be posting regular progress reports on Culture in Our City. As things start to happen, there will be other ways that people can contribute, so keep an eye on the website.
We’ll be posting regular progress reports on Culture in Our City. As things start to happen, there will be other ways that people can contribute, so keep an eye on the website.
The ABCD Plan for Cultural Recovery has taken an exciting step with the recruitment of Chairs and Working Group Members to drive the first three strands forward – Enliven Brighton, The Engine Room and The Creative Communities Network.
A huge range of people applied to offer their skills and experience and the initial appointments represent cultural workers from across the city’s dynamic sector. There are still some places to fill, to ensure the working groups are fully diverse and inclusive, but the groups will start meeting at the beginning of April to get ideas flowing.
Enliven Brighton intends to employ creative and cultural businesses and practitioners to enliven the city centre, boosting the city’s vital retail economy and making it a more attractive and rewarding destination to visit.
Co-Chairs: David Sheppeard & Tarik Elmoutawakil (Marlborough Productions)
Members: Sarah Davies (Phoenix Arts Space), Kim Jack-Riley (Tea & Grazing Ltd), Sally Oakenfold (Hope and Ruin), Tristan Sharpes (dreamthinkspeak), Simon Vaughn (Creative Giants).
The Engine Room is focussed on developing existing, and identifying gaps in, sector business support designed specifically for cultural and creative workers living and working across Greater Brighton. The Chairs are currently recruiting other members of Engine Room.
Co-Chairs: Marina Norris (Cultural Baggage) and Erin Barnes (Independent Producer)
Members: Philippa Aldrich (Future Perfect Company), Julian Caddy (Brighton Fringe), Joe Shelton (University of Brighton).
The Creative Communities Network is a community led programme designed to bring culture to all parts of the city through the installation of local event infrastructure alongside event management and programming training and support.
Chair: John Varah (Same Sky)
Members: Nicky Crabb (Little Green Pig), Faith Dodkins (The Spire / freelance), Lex Hollingworth & Paul Musselwhite (Komedia), Terri-Sian Lugosi (EPIC / freelance), Will Mytum (BOAT), Jess Starns (Dyspraxic Me), Jonathan Suffolk (independent)
I’ve also joined the team as Programme Manager and am really excited to be part of this process. I’ll be supporting the Chairs and Working Groups, and also raising funds to realise the ambitions of the recovery plan.
We’ll be posting regular progress reports on Culture in Our City. As things start to happen, there will be other ways that people can contribute, so keep an eye on the website. As we start to see light at the end of the Covid tunnel, this is the time to harness the creativity of the Working Groups and of the city, and to ensure culture is a dynamic part of the recovery for everyone.
Author: Polly Gifford
Programme Manager – ABCD for Cultural Recovery
[email protected]
Image credit: © Ian Leaver/Wellsbourne Healthcare CIC
