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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.

Aesop Arts & Health conference, Southbank Centre. Photo: Helen Murray

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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.

A group of young musicians record in the studio. Three musicians, including a keyboard player, singer, and guitarist, are performing.

© Cottonbro Studio

How English Touring Opera is using research to support young people

News

Find out more about English Touring Opera's new songwriting programme for young people, inspired by our research.

A young child, wearing a blue padded gilet, singing or speaking into a microphone. They have a facemask hooked around their ears and pushed down to their chin. Two other people are watching and interacting with the child. They are wearing urban style clothing and have a facemask covering their mouths and noses.

New book explores the impacts of Covid-19 on UK cultural sector and implications for the future

Event

Reflecting upon the findings from the Centre's research into the impact of Covid-19, our new publication Pandemic Culture is now available to buy or download for free.

Two young people stood together writing on post it notes to stick to flip chart paper on a wall. One is wearing a bright orange shirt, the other a grey top and black beanie hat.

Research collaborations are messy and challenging – here’s why we need them more than ever

News

Centre Manager Liz Harrop reflects on what we can learn from the Centre’s experience of supporting collaborative research projects.

A large crowd watches a band perform on stage at night as brightly coloured confetti is released from the stage.

Understanding the economic impact of UK Cities and Capitals of Culture

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What do we know about the impact of UK Cities and Capitals of Culture on the local and visitor economy? In this resource, we consider what we can learn from the evaluations of these cultural mega-events and examine the implications for policy and practice ...

Three people looking at a piece of outdoor public art. The artwork is made up of larger notebook pages. The page to the front of the image has the text: to leaf is

To Leaf is to Learn - public art by Juanjo Novella and Simon Armitage (Photo by Mark Webster)

Research Digest: Culture and placemaking

research

What is the relationship between culture and placemaking? This digest brings together research that examines how and why arts and culture play a part in placemaking and what that means for organisations, practitioners, policymakers and funders ...

A performance group called "Without Walls" performs “Belly of the Whale”. They are stood on top of a seesaw-like sculpture in front of Wakefield Cathedral at Wakefield Council’s Seaside in the City.

Wakefield Council (Photo by Andy Hardwick))

My essential reads: Artists’ livelihoods

essential-read

What do we know about artists' social and economic status? And why should this matter to the cultural sector and our wider society? In the Centre's research digest exploring the role of the artist in society, we highlight how artists are in a rare position to illuminate and reframe the ...

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