Discussion Paper

Partners

University of Kent

Author

Dr Cara Courage, Dr Lucrezia Gigante (Culture Commons), Professor Catherine Richardson (University of Kent).

Editor

Trevor MacFarlane

Description

This paper examines how culture-led capital development projects are creating new opportunities for local cultural decision making in the UK. Through an analysis of two live case studies – Docking Station (Medway, Kent) and Harmony Works (Sheffield, South Yorkshire) – we examine how capital development projects function as important nodes within creative, cultural and heritage ecosystems, as well as their potential to enhance the voice of local people within them. We make several tentative recommendations for future policy support mechanisms that could ensure the flourishing of such projects in future.

Published as part of ‘The Future of Cultural Devolution in the UK’ open policy development programme.

April 2025

Digital Policy Report

Partners

30 organisations based in the UK.

Author

Culture Commons

Editor

Trevor MacFarlane

Description

This digital report provides comprehensive details of a major four nations open policy development programme led by Culture Commons in coalition with 30 partners across the UK. The digital report outlines the methodology, policy context, findings and recommendations we produced over a full year of extensive insight gathering. This digital report has been made possible through the co-commissioning of 25 new research papers and engagement with over 300 organsiations, the public and the workforce based in all regions and nations of the UK.

November 2024

Insight Paper

Partners

Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COLSA), Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA).

Author

Culture Commons

Description

This paper summarises discussions at high level roundtables with local government officers and arm’s length external organisations (ALEOS) across Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales about increased local decision making for culture, creativity and heritage.

Published as part of ‘The Future of Cultural Devolution' in the UK’ open policy development programme.

November 2024

Discussion Paper

Author

Eliza Easton (Erskine Analysis), Trevor MacFarlane (Culture Commons) and Jack Shaw (Labour Together).

Description

This paper takes a look back at how the creative, cultural and heritage ecosystem has interacted with devolution in recent years far, charting the empowerment of the devolved nations and regional bodies.

This paper provides a detailed backdrop for the policy work taking places as part of ‘The Future of Cultural Devolution in the UK’ - a major four nations open policy development programme led by Culture Commons in coalition with 30 partners.

November 2024

Insight Paper

Partners

Creative Industries Council (CIC)

Author

Trevor MacFarlane

Description

This paper captures perspectives on devolution and increased local decision making from senior members of the Creative Industries Council. These perspectives are clustered together under thematic headings and the implications for policy are drawn out. This paper published as part of The Future of Cultural Devolution in the UK and informed a series of policy positions.

November 2024

Discussion Paper

Partners

University of Warwick (research), Centre for Cultural Value (roundtable logistics)

Author

Dr Heidi Ashton (University of Warwick)

Editor

Trevor MacFarlane (Culture Commons)

Description

This paper looks at the position of precarious freelance workers in the creative industries and cultural sector. The deregulation of labour markets has been highlighted in previous research as the cause of increasing precarity for those in non-standard employment and the tendency for these workers to fall through the gaps of support is evident in current UK-wide policy.

November 2024

Insight Paper

Partners

British Council, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch)

Author

Culture Commons

Description

This paper explores policy implications arising from a roundtable discussion that took place in June 2024 exploring international approaches to local cultural decision making. This session was co-convened by Culture Commons and British Council alongside programme partners at Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch).

October 2024

Insight Paper

Partners

Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Calouste Gulbenkiam Foundation (UK Branch).

Author

Trevor MacFarlane

Description

This paper captures perspectives on devolution and increased local decision making from senior representatives of major grant giving bodies based in the UK who invest in and/or support the creative, cultural and heritage ecosystem. The perspectives are brought together under thematic headings and possible implications for policy are drawn out.

August 2024

Insight Paper

Partners

Libraries Connected

Author

Libraries Connected

Description

This short paper captures the perspectives shared by senior library services leaders from across the UK on range of subjects associated with devolution and increased local decision making. The Insight Paper was produced following a roundtable co-convened with our programme partners at Libraries Connected.

August 2024

Insight Paper

Author

Culture Commons

Description

This paper explores policy implications arising from a roundtable discussion in May 2024 with property developers. The paper explores the ever-growing understanding within the wider urban development field that the provision of cultural infrastructures can significantly increase the long-term quality and sustainability of schemes.

August 2024

Insight Paper

Partners

University of Dundee, V&A Dundee

Author

Culture Commons

Description

This Insight Paper explores policy implications arising from a panel discussion for the creative, cultural and heritage sectors that took place in June 2024 at the V&A in Dundee, Scotland.

August 2024

Evaluation Report

Partners

University of Kent

Author

Dr Lucrezia Gigante, Alanna Reid, Trevor MacFarlane

Description

We've evaluated a major collaboration between University of Kent and a High Street Heritage Action Zone in Chatham. This project involves Medway Council, Historic England and private design consultants.

July 2024

Discussion Paper

Author

Professor Leila Jancovich (University of Leeds), Dr Lucrezia Gigante (Culture Commons), Dr Claire Burnill-Maier (Culture Commons)

Editor

Trevor MacFarlane

Description

This paper investigates mechanisms that have been effectively deployed to support local cultural decision-making. Drawing on theories of participation, co-production and deliberative democracy, it explores the risks and opportunities of approaches such as public value, co-production, citizens’ assemblies, participatory budgeting, community asset transfers and place-based funding.

August 2024

Insight Paper

Author

Culture Commons

Description

This paper explores policy implications arising from a roundtable discussion that took place with representatives from areas with lower levels of cultural infrastructure alongside programme partners who are closely involved with developing the methodologies on so-called ‘left-behind areas’.

August 2024

Research Paper

Partners

University of Warwick

Author

Dr David Wright and Dr Vishalakshi Roy

Description

This paper draws on two focus groups conducted with stakeholders in recent UK bids for Capital, Borough, or City of Culture competitions to reflect on the future of such schemes and their relation to local cultural decision making.

August 2024

Research Paper

Partners

Heseltine Institute for Public Policy (University of Liverpool)

Author

Dr James Hickson, Anthony Noun, Professor Catherine Durose, Sue Jarvis

Description

This paper draws on evidence from both academic and practitioner literatures to provide a review of the ways that subnational governments are working to develop policy and deliver support for creative, cultural and heritage sectors; the barriers that they continue to face; and the implications this may have for their future policy development.

August 2024

Research Paper

Partners

Centre for Cultural Value (University of Leeds)

Author

Dr John Wright

Description

The study of cultural strategies remains an emergent field and this paper consolidates current research and scholarly discussion on the subject. This paper then applies a thematic analysis to three micro-case studies of local authorities in order to provide an indicative set of implications for policy.

July 2024

Research Paper

Author

Thinks Insight & Strategy

Description

This paper explores the public’s perceptions of culture, creativity and heritage in their local area; their understanding of local cultural decision-making; their current level of involvement; and their vision for future engagement. This piece of consultancy focus group work was conducted by Thinks Insight & Strategy.

July 2024

Research Paper

Author

Dr Jonathan Vickery (University of Warwick)

Description

The purpose of this study is to identify the salient features, innovations and critical points of interest in the cultural sector of the West Midlands region — informing policy discussions on the prospects for a greater devolution of cultural decision making to ‘the local’.

July 2024

Insight Paper

Author

Culture Commons

Description

In this we paper we share key takeaways from a Knowledge Exchange held between senior representatives planning and/or leading live pan-regional creative, cultural and heritage sector governance and delivery mechanisms.

July 2024

Discussion Paper

Author

Dr Jonathan Vickery (University of Warwick)

Description

This paper seeks to identify how ‘Cultural Rights’ - a sub-category of Human Rights - is legally defined and applied today, internationally, nationally and locally.

July 2024

Insight Paper

Partners

Art Fund

Author

Kate Wafer (Wafer Hadley)

Description

This paper emanates from a roundtable discussion with independent museum directors and is supplemented by additional sector research. It highlights the varied relationships between museums and local authorities. The findings underscore the potential of regional structures in enhancing the role and recognition of museums in broader cultural and policy frameworks.

June 2024

Research Paper

Partners

University of Warwick

Author

Dr Vishalakshi Roy (University of Warwick)

Description

This new research examines various legal entities and the support available for their growth and sustainability at a local level. Drawing on reports and case studies, the report examines the effectiveness of support and identify gaps in provisions.

June 2024

Insight Paper

Partners

Greater Manchester Combined Authority, North East Combined Authority, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, South Yorkshire Combined Authority

Author

Culture Commons

Description

In this paper we share key takeaways from a Knowledge Exchange held between senior officers about the evolving strategic relationships between local and combined authorities.

May 2024

Insight Paper

Author

Culture Commons

Description

In this paper we look at how local citizens are already being involved in different kinds of local decision making programmes across the UK and highlighting policy opportunities.

May 2024

Insight Paper

Author

Culture Commons

Description

In this paper we explore some of the key findings that came out of a Knowledge Exchange we hosted looking at how cultural strategies have supported local cultural decision making across the UK.

April 2024

Insight Paper

Author

Culture Commons

Description

In our first in a series of Insight Papers drawing out findings from a Knowledge Exchange session as part of 'the future of local cultural decision making', we explore key concepts associated with ‘devolution’ and increased local decision making.

March 2024

Research Paper

Partners

University of Manchester, Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Author

Alanna Reid, Trevor MacFarlane

Description

This paper examines a new place-based policy mechanism that could play an important role in supporting culture-led regeneration in a major UK city region.

November 2022