Keynotes and plenaries in English, Spanish, Catalan and French
“Cities systematically misunderstand what they’re buying when they host the world.
The measurable economics are the smallest part of the return.”
Talks
What Cities Actually Get
The euphoria thesis: what a city really gains from culture, and why the numbers miss it.
The Games’ Other Programme
Twenty-five years inside the Cultural Olympiad, and why every host city starts from zero.
Legacy Before the Event
Why evaluation designed after delivery always fails.
Thirty-Five Years of the Title
Glasgow 1990 to now: what separates the European Capitals of Culture that changed their cities.
Culture Without a Deadline
Cultural strategy for cities on a twenty-year clock.
Euphoric Cities
The framework, delivered as an argument.
Why me
World Olympic Games arts & culture expert: from Barcelona 1992 to Rio 2016; culture advisor to Tokyo 2020, London 2012, Paris 2024, Milano-Cortina 2026
IOC Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission, member since 2015
Director, Impacts 08 — the Liverpool 2008 evaluation that set the impact assessment benchmark for the EU and subsequent European Capitals of Culture
European Commission ECoC selection and monitoring panel — member, chair and rapporteur
Culture Next Policy Task Force; advisor to ECoC bidding timings, including the winning Nikšić 2030 bid
Chair, outdoor arts pioneers Walk the Plank
300+ invited keynotes and plenaries in 45 countries
Over £2.5m in research funding as Principal Investigator
Speaking Formats: keynote · plenary · closing provocation · panel chair · masterclass or workshop for host city teams and city leaders
Languages: English · Spanish · Catalan · French
Enquiries: drbeatrizgarcia [at] gmail.com