Culture Central partners with More Than A Moment for the Beautiful Futures Summit 2023

In a world fraying at the edges, divided by differences, and confronted with unprecedented challenges, the time is ripe for unity, understanding, and, most importantly, transformation. This sets the stage for More Than A Moment’s Beautiful Futures Festival 2023, taking place October 19th to 21st.

The Beautiful Futures Festival is a three-day celebration and rallying cry, shining a spotlight on new creations by Black artists and envisioning and shaping the future of culture and creativity in the 21st century. This year, Culture Central joins forces with More Than A Moment on October 20th, presenting the Beautiful Futures Summit — an intersectional critical dialogue for the sector.

We acknowledge the pioneering groundwork laid by the black creative workforce in initiating the MTAM pledge and we are going deeper. We will explore impact of the legacy colonialism, social and climate justice, new ways of gathering resources, re-imagining a future that enables us all to thrive.

In September, Culture Central and MTAM collaboratively curated a week of radical listening sessions, featuring representatives from diverse backgrounds: South Asian, LGBTQIA+, D/deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, working-class, and Black creative workforces. Throughout the week, panellists discussed their lived experiences while navigating the cultural sector and identified the significant barriers to their success. Radical Listening Week may have concluded, but the conversation continues.

At the Beautiful Futures Summit, expect data-driven workshops reviewing a year of action for the MTAM pledge, sessions unpacking the insights gained from Radical Listening Week, and an exploration of the practical steps required to reimagine the culture sector in the 21st century. In preparation for the workforce sessions, you can revisit the Radical Listening Week 2023 sessions and reflect on the insights shared by our contributors on our YouTube playlist.

Three years ago, amid the rising voices and movements for racial equality and justice sparked by the murder of George Floyd, the More Than A Moment Pledge was born. Under the leadership of theatre-maker, artist, and Culture Central Board Member, Elizabeth Lawal, the More than a Moment Working Group developed a pledge that was not just for change, but for sustained action in the West Midlands cultural and creative sectors. Today, the pledge exists as a growing movement and the More Than A Moment Group exists as an independent createch agency, consultancy and innovation lab.

This year, we’re partnering to raise our ambitions and expand our horizons, exploring innovation and intersectionality. This is a call to action for all those dedicated to shaping a world that ensures no one is left behind.

Get involved

Are you ready to chart the course for the next phase of transformative action within the sector and the region? Register for the Beautiful Futures Summit — a critical dialogue in partnership with Culture Central.

Please note, due to limited space in the venue, the Summit day booking will be closed at capacity. We ask that you aim not to register more than 2 people per organisation.

Visit the More Than A Moment website to learn more about the full Beautiful Futures Festival 2023.

The critical dialogue day is part of our Diverse Artists and Diverse Audiences work, funded by Arts Council England and Birmingham Festival 2022 Legacy.