Network and Share

Overview

The Cultural Strategies Network facilitates conversations on the development and sustaining of cultural strategies and supports engagement with the Cultural Strategies Think Kit. It is coordinated by Dan Ashton (University of Southampton) and Ian Leete (Local Government Association). Current activities include bi-monthly online meetings and a LinkedIn Group. 

Meetings are scheduled for 50 minutes with an informal ‘drop in/drop out’ approach. Meetings will follow a similar structure:

• Welcome and introductions
• Focus topic (changes for each meeting – suggestions welcome)
• General discussion (led by participants)
• Questions about and experiences with the Think Kit

The meetings take place on Microsoft Teams hosted by the University of Southampton.

The meetings are intended as a safe and supportive space, and use suggestions on radical listening from the FACE (Fashion and the Arts Creating Equity). The radical listening checklist was developed in relation to education but also speaks to other settings.

A full introduction to each meeting and a summary from that meeting is available under Notes from Cultural Strategy Network meetings in Resources and References.

Overview and links for meetings

LinkedIn Group

The LinkedIn Group has plans for and notes from the Network meetings and enables conversations, sharing of resources, etc. The group can be accessed by clicking on the logo.

• LinkedIn

A summary of the notes is also available on the Resources and References page.

The Insights and Reflections series is an opportunity to share learning and experiences with the Think Kit and Network. Please contact Dan to explore your experiences and how these might be shared.

Alice Edwards
(Head of Culture and Creative Economy Economy, Culture and Skills Climate & Inclusive Growth Directorate London Borough Of Lambeth):

“Lambeth’s Culture and Creative Economy team worked closely with Policy colleagues to develop the borough’s 2026-2030 Creative Economy strategy. As the creative industries were less familiar to them, the policy matrix became a useful shared tool, helping build understanding of the sector and map relevant national, regional, and local policies and strategies”

Rob Campbell
(Head of Culture and Heritage Bath and North East Somerset):

“Being part of the community of practice has been invaluable in shaping and creating the Think Kit, which has proven to be a powerful tool for developing Bath and North East Somerset’s cultural strategy. The collaborative environment encouraged sharing fresh perspectives and practical insights, allowing us to pool expertise from across the group. This collective approach not only enriched the content of the Think Kit but also made it more adaptable and relevant for a wide range of cultural contexts. Engaging with fellow members enabled me to learn from their experiences, address challenges together, and spark new ideas that I wouldn’t have discovered on my own. The process fostered a real sense of belonging and mutual support, making the journey both productive and enjoyable. Ultimately, being part of this community has strengthened my practice and ensured that the Think Kit is a genuinely useful resource for anyone looking to develop effective cultural strategies.”