Regional Compacts Plus Network 

Since 2023, Culture Central has convened and facilitated a network of Regional Cultural Compacts and invests in testing new models of investment that are identified as regional priorities - providing resource and knowledge exchange. We support and strengthen the network through monthly meetings and quarterly sharing sessions hosted in place by each Compact.

Key outcomes

Key outcomes centre around advocacy with decision makers in areas of potential investment for cultural activity, including a series of case studies/research collation for LGA and policy makers. 

Over the last two years, work commissioned by the West Midlands Cultural Compacts Plus network includes an Advocacy Toolkit, the Regional Growth Enquiry and establishing a Joint Cultural Needs Assessment programme.

In 2023, Culture Central selected a delivery organisation on behalf of the West Midlands Cultural Compacts Plus network to deliver an evidence and advocacy plan and toolkit for the network. The scope of this work included: 

• A synthesis of research, evidence and case studies on the social and economic impact of culture.  

• A series of themed advocacy presentations to be used by regional cultural compacts for a range of sectors, including planning and development, health, philanthropy, placemaking and transport.  

• Planning and delivering a series of advocacy activities, co-created with the network, such as a series of round tables, events or conference attendances showcasing the strategic power of Cultural Compacts and Culture more broadly. 

See We Made That West Midlands Cultural Compacts Advocacy Toolkit here.

In September 2024, Culture Central and the Compacts Plus network commissioned two pieces of work on:

• Economic mapping and analysis

• Actions, activity and advocacy report

The report was to highlight the types of investment and support required in the region to support economic growth, infrastructure, cultural production, social value and create a compelling case at the highest levels for the support required for the cultural sector based on the demographics of the region and the existing levels of skills, and investment that the region has to date. Additionally the report was to consider what other levers for investment might exist (for example creative education) and where/how the cultural ecology might be supported to deliver aeainst these strategic priorities.

In March 2025, on behalf of the Compacts Plus network, Culture Central commissioned City-REDI at the University of Birmingham to deliver our regional Growth Enquiry into the future of Cultural Investment in the West Midlands. The Growth Enquiry calls for government, local authorities, cultural organisations, and private sector partners to take immediate, collective action to safeguard the future of the region’s cultural sector. The research maps regional trends in public investment in culture, and provides a stark view of diminishing funding levels and associated risks for the region’s position as a cultural powerhouse.

Read more here.

Download the Growth enquiry into the future of cultural invesment in the West Midlands here.

In June 2025, actions agreed as a result of the recommendations from the 24-25 Growth Enquiry:

• To pilot a number of the Cultural Compacts to deliver on a Joint Cultural Needs Assessment. 

• Culture Central to sit on West Midlands All-Party Parliamentary Group (WMAPPG) Advisory Board launched on 19th June 2025.

In September 2025, the Compacts Plus network agreed to pilot Joint Cultural Needs Assessments (JCNA) in partnership with The University of Warwick during Q3/4. Three Compacts were chosen as pilot areas representing a mixture of scales and geographies across the region.