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Understanding the difference culture makes

We are building a shared understanding of the differences that arts, culture, heritage and screen make to people’s lives and to society. We want cultural policy and practice to be based on rigorous research and evaluation of what works and what needs to change.

About us
Arts Together at Left Bank Leeds – Mafwa Theatre. Photo: Tom Arber
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Working together

We invite you to join a movement to help us better understand the role that culture plays in our lives. You might be thinking about how you can better evaluate the impact of your work, or how you can use research insights and critical reflection in your practice. Keep in touch to hear about resources, events and opportunities to shape our research and get involved.

Three people sat together looking at an exhibit case in a museum. They are talking together and one holds a notepad and pen
Treasures of Brotherton Gallery. University of Leeds. Photo by Mark Webster.

Findings from Culture Commons: The future of cultural devolution in the UK

News
New research into how the ‘devolution revolution’ and increased local decision-making can affect the creative, cultural and heritage ecosystem has been unveiled by Culture Commons.
Three performers sat on a large, green circular rug throwing balls in the air. An audience, with babies sit on cushions around the rug
English Touring Opera. Photo by Julian Guidera.

Reflecting upon the Centre’s first five years

News
2024 marks five years of the Centre for Cultural Value. Our recently published five-year review reflects upon the work and impact of the Centre across its first five years.
A music gig with pink confetti falling on crowd.
 

Next steps in transforming cultural sector data

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Learn more about a new scoping project to develop a blueprint for a national cultural data observatory in the UK.
A group of people stood together on a grassy bank by a river in a town at dusk. One person is talking to the group. They are stood by an ancient wall.
 

Research Digest: Environmental Heritage and Place

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This research digest draws together the current research on the relationship between cultural heritage, environments and place. The relationship between the environment and heritage has a long history and incorporates a broad range of disciplines from conservation and social geography to climate science. Given this broad church, this digest has ...
A group of children, smiling and laughing stand next to a person with long dark hair, wearing sunglasses singing into a microphone. They are outside, behind them is a green gazebo with a sign that reads DJ Booth
Mafwa Theatre. Family Flourish Day. Photo by Molly McGee

Our essential reads: Evaluation Principles in practice

essential-read
A collection of articles, reports and resources providing some helpful examples of what the Evaluation Principles can look like in practice ...
A photo of 'Hibiscus Rising', an outdoor sculpture made by Yinka Shonibare, photographed in front of redbrick buildings in Leeds city centre. The sculpture is tall and plant-like, with a selection of different colourful patterns in red, yellow, blue, purple and green.
Hibiscus Rising Statue – Leeds (Photo: West Yorkshire Combined Authority)

Making evaluation count in cultural policy

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As Lead Evaluation Officer for Culture at West Yorkshire Combined Authority, my role is concerned with how evaluation and cultural policymaking processes meet. This is an exciting space to work in, as it's where insight and learning connect directly with decision-making. Evaluation for accountability, evidence and learning For the Combined ...

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