Centre for Cultural Value

Older people – culture, community, connection
2022-05-04 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Online
What’s the impact of cultural participation in later life, and how do we capture its value?
In this event, hosted in partnership with Connecting Through Culture As We Age, we share the key findings from our latest research digest.
Connecting Through Culture As We Age will share and discuss some of the key findings from their research into the experience of cultural participation, including digital participation, for the 60-75 year old co-researchers at the heart of their study.
Contributors will include:

Dr Helen Manchester
Dr Alice Willatt
Dr Stuart Gray (Connecting Through Culture As We Age project)
Dr Robyn Dowlen (Centre for Cultural Value)
Plus older people, practitioners and policymakers working in this area.

Come along if you are a practitioner, policymaker or academic interested in the impact of cultural participation in later life!
Accessibility
We want to make the event a positive experience for all participants. If you have particular access needs please let us know at the time of booking.
The session takes place on Zoom. Read Zoom’s accessibility FAQ’s here.

Social Role of the Artist: a research workshop
2022-09-14 14:00 - 16:00
Have your say about our next research topic: the social role of the artist.
The Centre for Cultural Value conducts regular research reviews – a rapid assessment of published literature to present a ‘snapshot’ of the research across a topic. We share these summary findings in an accessible digest, so it can usefully shape future practice and policy.
Our next review will focus on the social role of the artist. Join us to set our agenda and help shape future cultural policy that best supports artists.

What is the role of the artist in society, and how do we capture their social value?
The artist’s role in society has long been a topic of debate. Over the last decade, in the face of large global challenges, these conversations have become more relevant than ever. This is especially the case as artists adapt their practice to respond to social, environmental and political issues.
But how do we understand what role artists play in society?
This interactive workshop will refine the scope of our next research review so it’s as useful and relevant as possible to artists, cultural practitioners, voluntary and community groups, arts organisations, institutions and those who fund cultural activity and develop cultural policy.
Our research review will examine the evidence base surrounding the social role of the artist. It will explore artists working within communities, artists’ role in relation to place, socially engaged practice and artists’ livelihoods. The themes within this will be shaped and refined with your input.
The workshop will focus on present-day society, so historical research into the social role of the artist is out of scope.

Shaping our research topic – where should we focus?
The workshop will be facilitated by Chuck Lowry who specialises in art as social practice. We’ll also be welcoming four guest contributors currently working in this field: Kerry Harker, Susan Jones, Eleonora Belfiore and Jacob Thompson-Bell.
We’ll start by introducing the initial scoping we have done in this area. Then we’ll work together as a group to define the questions and sub-topics you would find most useful for us to include in the research review.

Who’s this workshop for?
You’ll be working as an artist, cultural practitioner or curators, with experience or interest in socially engaged practice. Or you might be a researcher or policymaker with a specific interest in this area.
The workshop has a limited number of spaces which are prioritised for people working in this area. On this occasion, our event isn’t suitable for students.

What will the resulting research review look like?
Here’s an example of a research review into everyday creativity.

Can I contribute to shaping the review in an alternative way?
If you would like to shape our review but cannot attend the event, or you can attend but would also like to contribute some ideas in writing, please complete this short form.

Collaborate - a chance to find out more
2022-10-05 14:00 - 15:30
Find out more about our Collaborate
fund and how it can benefit you as an
individual practitioner or cultural sector organisation.
Book: Workshop 1 Book: Workshop 2
Before signing up to these workshops, please make sure you are eligible to apply to the Collaborate fund.
If you are an individual practitioner or part of a cultural sector organisation within the UK considering applying to our Collaborate fund, then these workshops are for you.
Please note these events aren’t suitable for academic and commercial researchers, students or international guests. We will run separate briefing workshops for academics in early 2023.
Join us to find out about our fund to support the development of new collaborative research projects between the cultural sector and academic researchers.
Successful projects will contribute to deeper understanding of the differences culture makes to people’s lives and to the range of research methodologies used to explore cultural value.
These two events will provide more information about the fund, as well as help you to think about the research project you might like to explore. We will also guide you through the application process, before expressions of interest open on Monday 17 October 2022.
Event outcomes
In the event, you will:

Hear more about what the Collaborate fund is
Find out how to apply and what the application process and timescales are
Have the opportunity to ask questions, think about your ideas for your research project and share thoughts with other practitioners
Leave with the insights you need to submit the best possible Expression of Interest.

You may want to take a look at our Collaborate resources before here.
What are the benefits of taking part in Collaborate?
Collaborate will give cultural sector practitioners the opportunity to explore and more deeply understand your practice and to communicate the cultural value of your work more effectively. Working in partnership with academic researchers can also help to open up new ways of thinking, develop innovative ideas and practice and build new networks.
Accessibility
We want to make the event a positive experience for all participants. If you have particular access needs please let us know in advance at ccv@leeds.ac.uk
Live transcription by a palantypist (speech to text reporter) is provided for this session. Transcription will be available on Zoom captions, and on StreamText.net.
The session takes place on Zoom. Read Zoom’s accessibility FAQs here.

Collaborate: a chance for academics to find out more
2023-01-25 14:00 - 15:30
Are you an academic researcher based in the UK? Interested in applying to the
Collaborate fund? Join this event to learn more, and get advice about strengthening your application.
Please note the event is only suitable for UK-based academic researchers. Before signing up for this workshop, please make sure you are eligible to apply to the Collaborate fund. You can find out who is eligible here.
Join us to learn more about applying to the second round of Collaborate – a fund supporting new collaborative research projects between the UK cultural sector and academic researchers. Funding awards will range from £5K – £20K.
Research topics have been proposed by cultural sector partners. For full details, take a look through the ten shortlisted projects.
We are now seeking expressions of interest from academics interested in working with the cultural sector partner on developing these proposals.
This event will provide more information about the fund, guide you through the application process and provide an opportunity to ask questions. Expressions of interest will be open between Thursday 5 January 2023 and Monday 20 February 2023.
What are the benefits of taking part in Collaborate?

Co-develop innovative research processes, pilot research activity with audiences and test existing methodologies in a new context.
Work on live research topics with highly engaged research partners.
Draw on the project for future research publications, as strong impact activity for future REF case studies or as the foundation for further funded research.
Access a cohort of peers, learning resources and workshops.
Develop skills in research leadership and new ways to communicate research.

Eligible to apply?
We welcome expressions of interest from individual academic researchers or research teams from any discipline. You must have a PhD at the time of application and currently work at a UK-based university or higher education institution.
Accessibility
We want to make the event a positive experience for all participants. If you have particular access needs please let us know in advance at ccv@leeds.ac.uk
Live transcription by a palantypist (speech-to-text reporter) is provided for this session. Transcription will be available on Zoom captions and StreamText.net.
The session takes place on Zoom. Read Zoom’s accessibility FAQs here.
We will also make a recording available after the event so that you can re-watch it at a convenient time.

Evaluation for Arts, Culture and Heritage: A Reflective Workshop
2023-10-19 14:00 - 15:30
This workshop is for everyone taking part in our new online course, Evaluation for Arts, Culture and Heritage: Principles and Practice.
We’ll be launching our self-guided course, which helps participants build skills and confidence in evaluation, on 18 September 2023. If you’re taking the course, this follow-up workshop is a chance to talk to course leaders about what you’ve learned – and connect with other learners.
We’ll be talking about why we put the course together – and the reasons we chose to focus on these specific areas of evaluation. Our course leaders will also reflect on how you can make practical use of what you’ve learned.
Chaired by Centre for Cultural Value director Ben Walmsley, co-director Anne Torregiani and Research Associate Emma McDowell, we’ll be taking a look at some of the questions we’ve been exploring on the course, including:

How can we identify what to measure in evaluation?
How can we use evaluation as a learning experience?
How can we approach failure positively and constructively?
How can we be creative in evaluation?

We’ll be inviting you to ask questions, share your own insights on evaluation, and reflect on what areas of evaluation you think need the most attention.

There’ll also be the chance to share your experiences of evaluation with your peers and connect with our evaluation network.
What is Evaluation for Arts, Culture and Heritage: Principles and Practice?
On 18 September 2023, we’re launching our self-guided course, ‘Evaluation for Arts, Culture and Heritage: Principles and Practice’.
This course offers the opportunity to hear from experts, develop new approaches and build your evaluation skills and confidence.
The course is split into six content modules and hosted by leaders in cultural evaluation. You can access the course for free over a flexible period of time.
Who is this event for?
This event is open to anyone participating in our new online course, Evaluation for Arts, Culture and Heritage: Principles and Practice.
We’ll be reflecting on the material studied in the course and welcome anyone who has completed the course to join the workshop.
You are also welcome to join us for this workshop if you’re currently registered for the course and working your way through the material.
Accessibility
If you do not receive a Zoom link directly from TicketSource, please email us at ccv@leeds.ac.uk.
We want to make the event a positive experience for all participants. If you have particular access needs please let us know in advance by emailing ccv@leeds.ac.uk.
Live transcription by a palantypist (speech-to-text reporter) is provided for this session. Transcription will be available on Zoom captions and StreamText.net.
The session takes place on Zoom. Read Zoom’s accessibility FAQs here.
Please note that we will be recording this event. Only speakers will be recorded.

Cultural Vitality: A discussion of national cultural indicators
2025-07-01 10:00 - 12:00
Join us for the national launch of the Cultural Indicator Suite.
Cultural vitality is a central part of understanding the cultural and artistic health of places. It involves dynamic interactions between cultural activities and participation, diversity, access and infrastructure, which collectively shape the identity and well-being of communities.
The Cultural Indicator Suite project, undertaken by the Centre for Cultural Value and The Audience Agency, supported by Research England, aims to develop a framework for measuring cultural vitality. By reviewing existing national approaches to data collection, the project seeks to better capture and communicate the everyday cultural vitality of communities.
At this event, we will discuss the project to date, share the framework of suggested indicators, and invite discussion and questions.
Speakers and programme to be announced soon.
Who would find this event valuable?
Policymakers and cultural sector leaders from across the UK who are interested in how everyday culture and cultural vitality might be measured and reported to support policy, placemaking, and funding initiatives.
Format

Online via Zoom
Presentations and Q&A/discussion
Zoom automated captions will be available
Session presentations will be recorded

Accessibility
If you do not receive a Zoom link directly from TicketSource, please email us at ccv@leeds.ac.uk.
We want to make the event a positive experience for all participants. If you have particular access needs please let us know in advance by emailing ccv@leeds.ac.uk.
Zoom automated captioning will be used throughout the event.
The session takes place on Zoom. Read Zoom’s accessibility FAQs here.
Please note that we will be recording this event. Only speakers will be recorded.

What have we learnt so far, and what’s next for the National Cultural Data Observatory?
2026-06-08 14:00 - 16:00
Join colleagues from the Centre for Cultural Value, The Audience Agency, MyCake and Culture Commons to discover more about the blueprint they have developed for a National Cultural Data Observatory (NCDO).
We’ll be sharing updates about the launch of the NCDO website, manifesto, public report and long-awaited demonstrator. You’ll be hearing from Ben Walmsley, Dean of Cultural Engagement, University of Leeds; Patrick Towell, Director of Creative Economy, The Audience Agency; Sarah Thelwall, Director, MyCake; Stephen Miller, CTO, The Audience Agency; Trevor MacFarlane FRSA, CEO, Culture Commons; Stephen Dobson, Director, Centre for Cultural Value.
In this online webinar, we will share an update on our collaborative work to date and invite our panel of experts to share their thoughts on the following themes:
Panel 1: How can better, collectively gathered intelligence potentially transform cultural policymaking?
Chair: Daniel Ashton – Professor of Cultural and Creative Industries, Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton
Speakers:

David Johnson – Director, Strategic Partnerships and Place, Arts Council England
Jennifer Huygen – Head of Policy and Strategic Partnerships, Community Leisure UK
Jules Lent – Head of Policy, Insight and Performance, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority
Paula Orrell – National Director, Contemporary Visual Arts Network England (CVAN)
Harman Saggar – Head of Cultural Analysis, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
Thorsten Dreyer – Vice Chair, Chief Leisure Officers Association (CLOA)

Panel 2: Reflecting on evidence, how can we better reflect lived experiences and the views of our communities alongside the needs of funders, policymakers and the sector?
Chair: Anne Torreggiani – Chief Executive, The Audience Agency
Speakers:

Helen Bewsher – Evaluation Director, Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture
Rishi Coupland – Executive Director – Industry and Innovation, BFI
Evan Dawson – Chief Executive, Celfyddydau Cenedlaethol Ieuenctid Cymru | National Youth Arts Wales
Jan Garrill – Associate, Yorkshire Funders
Richard Welpton – Head of Data Service Infrastructure, Economic and Social Research Council

There will be an opportunity to ask questions and for further discussion with the NCDO team and panellists.
What is the National Cultural Data Observatory?
The National Cultural Data Observatory (NCDO) is an ambitious, long-term, sector-wide collaboration aimed at building a shared, intelligent data ecosystem for the arts, culture and heritage sectors. Through better data integration, it will connect people, policy, and practice, representing the collective intelligence of policymakers, funders, sector bodies, practitioners and communities that form our cultural and creative ecosystem.
The NCDO stems from a research partnership funded by ESRC and Research England that consulted with over 470 cultural leaders, policymakers and researchers to lay the groundwork for the Observatory. We’ve mapped more than 70 existing observatories across the UK and internationally and reviewed over 200 datasets to design a framework that unites cultural, social and economic data.
NDCO is led by a collaboration between the Centre for Cultural Value, The Audience Agency, MyCake and Culture Commons.
ncdo.org.uk
Format

Online via Zoom
Zoom automated captions will be available
This event will not be recorded

Accessibility
If you do not receive a Zoom link directly from TicketSource, please email us at ccv@leeds.ac.uk.
We want to make the event a positive experience for all participants. If you have particular access needs please let us know in advance by emailing ccv@leeds.ac.uk.
Zoom automated captioning will be used throughout the event.
The session takes place on Zoom. Read Zoom’s accessibility FAQs here.
