Buckinghamshire Culture Conference ‘Cultural Capital – building it – investing it – spending it’!

We are delighted to announce further programme details for the first Buckinghamshire Culture conference; titled ‘Cultural Capitalbuilding it – investing it – spending it’ to be held on Thursday, 23rd March 2023 at Missenden Abbey conference centre in Great Missenden.

The conference is for everyone in the cultural sector in Buckinghamshire. We hope to attract a broad range of people working in the arts, cultural and heritage sector including individual creatives and freelancers. We aim to broaden horizons – in terms of inspirational projects and partnerships, celebrate good practice and interesting/innovative models as well as define goals and purpose in respect of a county-wise approach to culture and how organisations align with local and national priorities.

Rachael Shimmin, OBE, Chief Executive Officer at Buckinghamshire Council will open the event. Hazel Edwards, Southeast Area Director for Arts Council England will update delegates on ACE’s latest areas of development.

Inspirational keynotes will come from Jenny Sealey, OBE, Artistic Director of Graeae Theatre, and Mark Damazer CBE, Chair of the Board at the Booker Prizes and previously controller of BBC Radio 4. There will be a remote appearance by Dr Michael Mosley with an exclusive film interview about culture, nature and their positive influence on health and wellbeing.

In the afternoon, delegates will have a choice of exciting workshops: Rachel Sharpe Head of Creative Placemaking and Public Programmes at the Royal Shakespeare Company will lead a workshop on placemaking. Other workshops will centre around co-creation, sustainability and wellbeing, storytelling as well as cultural democracy.

We will also have input from some of our partner organisations, who will update us on their latest projects in Buckinghamshire. And, of course, there will be plenty of opportunities to network, meet old friends and make new connections in the beautiful surroundings of Missenden Abbey conference centre.

More information on how to register, prices and the link to the registration can be found on the website: https://buckinghamshireculture.org/cultural-capital-the-buckinghamshire-culture-conference/

Bill Morris, Buckinghamshire Culture Co-Chair explains the idea behind the title: “Cultural capital is gained through experiencing, creating and participating in culture. It celebrates and embraces diversity, heritage and traditions. By increasing our cultural capital, as individuals and as communities we can create and innovate, invigorate solutions to society’s issues, connect our communities, improve health and wellbeing, develop creative industries and contribute to thriving economies.”

Julius Weinberg, Buckinghamshire Culture Co-Chair added: “After what have been a few challenging years, we are looking forward to organising our first large face to face event! It will be great to be in a room together and enjoy the inspiring input from our keynote speakers, as well as embarking on workshop activities that get everyone thinking! “

The conference is supported by Buckinghamshire New University, Buckinghamshire Council, and the Rothschild Foundation.