CultureTalk

What happens when someone who's worked both sides of the CultureTech relationship – running a venue and working inside a leading sector platform – looks at where the cultural sector is now? In this episode of CultureTalk, we're joined by Ben Park, a culture and entertainment sector consultant with over 20 years of experience. Ben spent 12 years at Spektrix, joining when it was a small startup and...

Arts centres are civic powerhouses – rooted in their communities, balancing artistic ambition with social responsibility, and doing it all on tight margins. So why is their potential still underestimated? In this episode of CultureTalk, we're joined by Annabel Turpin, CEO of Storyhouse in Chester, and Gavin Barlow, former chief executive of the Albany in Deptford. Together they co-lead Future Arts...

How can one of the world's oldest art forms become urgently relevant to contemporary audiences? Join us for a powerful conversation with Sue Elliott, General Director and CEO of Calgary Opera, who is revolutionising how opera engages with communities by telling stories that matter. Drawing from nearly two decades of groundbreaking work at Houston Grand Opera, Seattle Opera, and now Calgary Opera,...

Why aren't audiences coming back after their first visit? Join us for a compelling conversation with Katy Raines, Founder and CEO of Indigo, who's been transforming how cultural organisations understand and connect with their audiences for 18 years. Drawing from groundbreaking research including the Missing Audiences study and Tomorrow's Audience insights, Katy challenges some uncomfortable truths...

Why is digital accessibility in the cultural sector such a minefield despite decades of guidelines? Join us for an honest conversation about the real barriers facing arts organisations and practical solutions that actually work. With roughly 1 in 6 people experiencing some form of disability, cultural venues risk excluding substantial audiences through inaccessible websites. Our guests reveal why...

This article by Ash talks about the Enable-Engage-Express framework that we reference in the interview as well as his two-axis model for understanding how different digital activities differ in function and focus: https://www.ashmann.co/what-do-we-actually-mean-when-we-say-digital/   Digital strategy consultant Ash Mann brings clear-eyed insights from his research on why digital projects succeed o...

Senior Content Strategist Georgina Brooke joins us to discuss how cultural organisations can cut through digital noise, build meaningful audience connections, and create sustainable digital strategies. From her experiences at Oxford University, National Museum of Scotland, and the Ashmolean Museum, Georgina shares practical insights on developing effective content approaches that truly resonate wi...

As digital evolution reshapes the cultural sector, how can arts organisations develop sustainable technology strategies? Join us for a refreshing conversation with Steve Plummer from One Pebble Consulting, who challenges traditional thinking about digital transformation. With 25+ years of experience and nearly 50 digital roadmaps delivered, Steve brings practical wisdom to technological change in...

As artificial intelligence reshapes the cultural sector, how can arts organisations find a balanced path forward? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Jocelyn Burnham from AI for Culture, who brings a refreshingly nuanced perspective to this complex landscape. Drawing from over a decade of experience and work with organisations like Arts Council England and Tate Modern, Jocelyn advocates...

Queens Theatre's Director of Operations Jay Rogers discusses digital transformation, pandemic recovery, and making theatre accessible in NYC's most diverse borough. Learn how this historic World's Fair venue balances tradition with innovation. https://www.culturesuite.co/

Explore how cultural organisations can balance digital engagement with environmental responsibility. GoCodeGreen's Gareth Edwards highlights the carbon impact of streaming, AI, and digital infrastructure.

Join Oliver Mantell from The Audience Agency as he explores how venues can leverage audience insights, embrace AI, and implement practical data strategies – all while keeping the human element at the heart of arts marketing.

From personal struggles to industry-changing solutions: Craig Pryde discusses Different Breed's [ https://differentbreed.events/] mission to make events accessible for all. Learn more about the more overlooked aspects of event accessibility and ticketing.

In this fascinating edition of CultureTalk, Paul Callaghan, Chair of The Board of Trustees for MAC Sunderland, shared his insights on using culture to revitalise communities, the challenges of arts funding, and the future of the cultural sector in the UK. Discover how grassroots initiatives can transform regions and lives.

Journey through the evolution of ticketing with Andrew Thomas, Director of Ticketing Professionals Conference. From shoeboxes to smartphones, discover how digital technology has transformed the arts and culture sector, and learn why accessible professional development is crucial for the industry's future.

Join us in this episode of CultureTalk as we speak with Martin Austin, Founder and Managing Director of Nimbus Disability, about how the pioneering Access Card is transforming accessibility in arts, culture, and entertainment venues. Discover Martin's personal experiences, the impact of accessibility, and Nimbus' future ambitions.

Join us in an insightful conversation with Frederik Fabricius, founder of Kulturdata, as we discuss how data and digitalisation are revolutionising audience engagement and development in the arts and culture sector. Discover innovative strategies and practical tips for leveraging data to enhance your cultural organisation's outreach and impact.