And just like that, 2023 comes to an end…
In this blog, Culture Central CEO, Erica Love, reflects on some of the achievements and challenges of 2023.
In less than two weeks, we will be marking another year passed.
For Culture Central, 2023 was a year to catalyse and drive activity focussed on our priorities of collective action, inclusivity and supporting a dynamic and collaborative cultural sector, for the benefit of the region.
This time last year, we were excited to be planning our first year as an Arts Council England Investment Principles Support Organisation (IPSO). We were in the middle of refreshing our membership offer and also looking forward to the delivery of projects such as Birmingham 2022 Festival Legacy and Culture Volunteer WM. 2023 did not disappoint.
Highlighting our achievements in 2023
We launched our new membership structure and brand with many new members joining us, with now over 100 members representing organisations and individuals working across the West Midlands. Our regional membership meetings covered advocacy, lobbying priorities, practice sharing and networking. We also supported our member organisations with 1:1 brokerage, advice and support.
Collective, our leadership programme for those traditionally excluded from careers in the cultural sector in partnership with people make it work. We have a cohort of twenty brilliant people exploring leadership, power structures, radical change and more.
Grow, our revamped mentoring programme has recruited some fantastic mentors from across the region; your skills, knowledge and time are an invaluable resource - thank you.
WMCRU learning sessions with subjects such as Martyn’s Law, environmental responsibility, public health and regional funding opportunities.
We worked with More Than a Moment to deliver Radical Listening Week and a critical dialogue day for the sector as part of the MTAM festival, we look forward to deepening and extending this work in 2024.
Culture Volunteer WM has continued to work in Birmingham, the Black Country and Stoke on Trent to create and develop better volunteering opportunities with those who experience barriers, focusing on building social capital to create change. Our programme has recruited 15 access champions working in organisations across the region to understand how we can ‘do access better’.
Our Creative City Grants Legacy action learning development programme has supported 16 organisations and individuals funded as part the Birmingham 2022 Festival to build their skills in fundraising, partnerships and business development.
I am delighted that we have grown our team with Charlene, Naomi and Yasamin joining us in 2023. Myself, Anthony and the team have loved seeing all of the brilliant things you have done across the region over the last twelve months, from shows, exhibitions, seminars, festivals and events, including Festival 2023, with us holding their valuable evaluation insights to be utilised by the sector.
Challenges of 2023
Despite all of the important work to celebrate, I can’t let a reflection on the year not include the acknowledgement of the global, regional and individual challenges facing people in 2023. Crisis seems to remain constant, with the effects of global conflicts continuing to weigh heavy and impact many of us here in the region. This state of crisis is felt in our communities, and individually across the towns, cities and places that make up the West Midlands. We know that many people are suffering across the world, and closer to home we know that many people around us will be facing hardships. For all of us working in culture – we need to think carefully about the communities that we serve and how our work can connect people and challenge injustices in society.
We are again seeing culture being a target for cuts in local authority funding, even when we have more evidence than ever of the importance of arts and culture on people and place. Culture Central, alongside you all, have and will continue to fight for investment and recognition of the importance of your work. We also know we need to take the initiative, provide solutions and determine our own future. We will be doing that at our WM Culture Summit: Collectively Strategising Culture, on 7th February 2024. Find out more here.
I hope you have some time to rest and reflect and find some joy during this festive period.
Thank you again for your support this year, the team and I look forward to connecting with you next year.
As always, best wishes,
Erica Love
CEO
Culture Central