The Culture Works Collective

Group Prompt: In 2030, this is a place that likes to say ‘yes’. There is real mutual respect, a vibrant sense of civic pride and engagement, diversity is deeply valued, and collaboration is prized above competition. We are energised by working collectively across sectors and across communities. There is a culture of openness, and a willingness to experiment and learn together. There is a strong sense of community and belonging. People across the region place a high value on arts and cultural activity. They are proud to live in this place, and they make the most of the many opportunities to discover, enjoy, participate, learn or share in high quality creative and cultural activity. People are curious, well-connected and well-informed: they know where to look for information about what’s on, but they also enjoy being surprised by unexpected arts experiences – both close to home and further afield.

Group facilitator: Ali Belbin

We had a very lively discussion right from the get-go. Everyone had plenty to say and we could have spent the whole time just talking about the mission statement. We managed to convert that energy onto the post-it notes and there was lots of discussion while participants were writing and sticking! Our actions covered a wide range of subjects from ending capitalism to embedding artists in the council to bringing back pride and making sure the arts are fully on the curriculum.

Key Ideas:

• Joy
• Signposting knowledge round the city
• Outdoor spaces being used creatively, not neglected
• Accessing arts any day of the week.  Well resourced
• More harmonious city, kinder, people are different because of the role creativity has played in their lives
• People feeling their perspective is more valued
• Properly robust public transport, trams
• Not making everything too shiny. Community spaces don’t always need to look nice. Accepting a messier city
• Capital investment in buildings
• Coventry seen as a destination for culture – music, art, whatever and creating new trends

Quick Wins:

• Work out and analyse what community assets are in the city currently.
• Artists to infiltrate the Council, across different departments.
• Explore how creativity can be embedded in the city. Embed artists in decision making.

Transcript of post-its: from base of building (easy) to roof (harder/longer-term)

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• Public spaces for the public!
• Obstacle – what have we got?
  Solution – an audit of the assets that the city already has to utilise.
• Obstacle – a deprivation of creativity in the council.
  Solution – artist infiltration across all council departments.
• Excluded/marginalised – more money for people/organisations who strive for equality and inclusion.
• Obstacle – people of Coventry feeling they are painfully plain. Solution – artistic interventions to shift how we view ourselves – as individuals, as groups, as a city, as a global player.
• Obstacle – colonial structures, capitalism.
  Solution – acknowledge the above, decolonise
• Educational reform – local curriculum
• Don’t build City Centre South!
• Funding discrepancies – governing body that is representative.
• More social housing!
• Network spaces being privately sold– council to reinvest

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• Rethink how budgets are used. Invest in creative processes that are divergent and inclusive.
• Obstacle – lack of venues.
  Solution – create a post to actively seek funding for this purpose
• Poor relationship between city and wider CV area. Better public transit, addressing wealth & class disparities within the west midlands.
• Tension between student population and local community. Encourage students to stay in Coventry. Help public to recognise students as part of the city.
• Obstacle – make new memories at festivals.
  Solution – open up opportunities to new artists.
• Blockers – self interested. Contracts to include a clause about collaborations/partnerships
• Obstacle – lack of education opportunities in music and arts.
  Solution – schools to work with community projects which complement the curriculum
• Obstacle – stuck with status quo. Solution – open up what Coventry stands for by challenging status quo in new steering group.
• Obstacle – cronyism.
  Solution – create transparent tendering for funded opportunities.
• Private property – compulsory purchase

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• Attract investment
• Get rid of tories
• In 2024 we created a central hub for info on events online and engaged with the likes of BBC and media to share stories of cultural activity.
• Bring property in the centre back into public ownership
• Invest in arts education
• Tackle poverty
• Free arts education for everyone
• Host deliberative conversations – think and talk to people who offer new perspective to existing problems
• Core value, worth and trust
• Artist in residence
• Recruit and train creative hub leads for each area with local communities and lead sessions (build it!)
• Repurpose existing buildings in green/urban spaces
• Protect public spaces and create new ones
• All funded cultural organisations embed (?) a member of staff in community
• Creative hubs set up in parks with a schedule of activities for local communities
• Reopen early years centres – invest in family care
• Vary the people making decision to attract new blood – cultural council
• Fair distribution – not about size of organisation
• Taking live streaming and telepresence more seriously in professional arts settings
• Everyone feels a bit more significant

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• Funding process archaic doesn’t allow for collaboration between organisations. Criteria for funding must include collaboration.
• Conflict between behaviour of government and needs of community. Stricter regulation on where funding comes from? No bribes.
• Education reform – local curriculum driving learning.