Action Plan: Establish a Culture Network
The Cultural Compact hosted our second Culture Network event, following on from our successful launch back in March. We were delighted to take over Flirt Cafe Bar in Bournemouth Town Centre to facilitate new connections between artists and organisations from across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole.
We welcomed forty attendees, all from different parts of the conurbation, all representing different artforms (including literature, music, dance, visual art, theatre, and spoken word); we also invited four facilitators to lead breakout groups and create conversation. These were suggested by our attendees:
Creative Health Strategy (led by Gemma Alldred)
Meanwhile Spaces in Bournemouth (led by Paul Kinvig)
Ways to Improve Accessibility in the Arts (led by Myriam San Marco)
Opportunities for Freelancers (led by Mahtab Grimshaw)
Thank you to them for their brilliant work. There’s already been some meetings and opportunities shared as a result, as well as the creation of a new online document to showcase creative spaces in BCP:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1s8vGwogtxPaq-HeLpd4Dky47BYgT3TyMtPooczgwV4Y/edit?usp=sharing
Some of the feedback received afterwards:
“I had a great time, I love having the opportunity to meet with other freelancers and chat about our roles – this so rarely happens!”
“Well organised, friendly. Got those right.”
“More events – more often – really useful to connect across bcp regularly and invite more people in.”
We’ll be announcing more events soon, including a speed networking night as well as an event focused on local arts funding. Keep an eye out for more details, or contact us at info@culturalcompact.org.uk.
All photos by Jayne Jackson