The Art of Devolution | Culture & the North

On 14 June 2016, I am speaking on the implications of devolution, rebalancing and the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ for the arts and cultural ecologies of the north of England.

The Art of Devolution: Culture and the North aims to provide a space for civic, cultural and academic partners to discuss plans and ambitions for arts and culture in times of changing governance, funding and accountability.

The conference follows the announcement of devolution plans and ‘Northern Powerhouse’ investments in Greater Manchester and elsewhere across the north, the findings of select committees on disparities in regional arts and cultural funding, and the recent publication of the DCMS White Paper ‘Our Culture’.

My panel topic is:  Hearing from the wondrous places of the North – devo deals and plans for culture and is composed of:

  • Beatriz Garcia, Head of Research, Institute of Cultural Capital, University of Liverpool
    Patricia Stead, Creative Producer, Dancecity, Dance for the North East
    Martin Green, CEO and Director, Hull 2017: UK City of Culture
    Annie O’Neill, Museum and Gallery Development Manager, Gallery Oldham, Greater Manchester
    Francesca Gains, Professor of Politics, The University of Manchester (Chair)

We will look at how local culture and creativity are likely to be managed in the north under devolution, identifying the opportunities and challenges presented by evolving place-based policies for places and their arts and culture.

Further information about the event is available here.