A seminar for those from all sectors working in place partnerships, networks, local cultural education partnerships to tackle inequalities in cultural and creative opportunity for children and young people.
Date: 13 December
Time: 2.00pm – 5.00pm
Venue: STEAMhouse Maker Space, Birmingham City Centre (5 minutes from New Street Station)
Book here.
In its 10-year strategy consultation Arts Council England identify “The opportunities for children and young people to experience culture and creativity inside and outside school are not equal across the country.” It is one of their six priority issues to change.
We suggest that the way that data is collected, analysed, publically shared and used across local systems to direct activity and investment is underdeveloped and not best serving the interests of young people. However, we know that the work of collective data can be hard and the incentives at personal and organisational level to share are weak. As a result there is a reliance on data informed by the perspective of ‘we just know this’ and based on incomplete personal knowledge and viewpoints.
We aim that this seminar is the beginning of a critical conversation: to look at different examples; think about the complexities and possibilities; exchange ideas and see where we can go next. The questions that we will address are:
• What are the questions that we want to understand better at a local or system level?
• What kinds of evidence and data are behind the collective choices that are made?
• What shared data would help us do a better job if we could get it?
• How can that be best visualised and shared? What are the pitfalls?
• What we do we know about the key issues and complexities associated with data?
• What might we practically do next at all levels?
We are inviting those who can practically contribute to advancing this project such as leaders in local cultural education partnerships, funding bodies, agencies working to inspire collective action, researchers and arts and cultural organisations. Colleagues from BCU will be on hand to support and focus conversations and to record thoughts. We do hope this will be of interest to you – you can sign up here https://bit.ly/2QwcdeY
Contributors and Themes
Dr Mark Taylor, University of Sheffield
Mark is a sociologist with interests in social stratification and inequality, the sociology of culture and particularly music – he will set out the bigger picture: the challenges and current learning
Caroline Beavon specialist in infographics and data design. Caroline is the lead for the data visualisation work on Cultural Landscapes. She will share examples of how other sectors are using data to inspire and direct change.
Dr Craig Hamilton is a Research Fellow in Birmingham City University’s School of Media. His research is built around Harkive and comprises experimental methodological approaches derived from the use of data collection and machine-learning algorithms. Craig is also the co-Managing Editor of Riffs: Experimental Writing on Popular Music.
The CHIME App is a mobile application developed through the EU and JPI-funded CHIME project exploring innovative ways of planning and managing jazz festivals in online environments. In particular the App has the potential to significantly improve communication with – and measurement of – festival audiences.
Dr Annette Naudin, Birmingham City University, Principal Investigator ‘Cultural Landscapes’
Annette will share the insights from an 18 month R&D project to create a methodology, data capture and visualisation tools for a city scale picture of cultural provision. The full report will also be made public at the seminar.
