Cultural partnerships, cultural value and the Research Excellence Framework workshop - Arts Council England National Symposium on HEI and Arts Partnerships

Arts Council England one day event on HEI and Arts Partnerships
Wednesday 5 February 2014
Hosted by Liverpool John Moores University
Arts Council England Event on higher education, arts and cultural partnerships

Structured as a mix of formal presentations and open discussion, the conference is designed and led by both higher education and cultural sector partners.

The aims of the event are to:

encourage a shared understanding of the principles of engagement for best practice
promote knowledge exchange with a focus on the maturing of partnerships
jointly identify future development and opportunities
The morning session will present discussion documents including The Cultural Knowledge Ecology and Arts Council's refreshed 10 years strategy Great art and culture for everyone; hear from Arts Council England's, Universities UK and a range of Vice Chancellors through panel discussions. The afternoon session will offer opportunity to participate in discussion workshops to encompass the following 'lines of enquiry':

- collaborative approaches to place making and civic responsibility
- cultural partnerships, cultural value and the Research Excellence Framework
- actively working with archives in a cultural context
- joint approaches to EU funding opportunities
universities collaborating to deliver arts programmes
- creating a collaborative pathway for talent development
- STEM - alignment of arts with the stem subject
the basics of partnership working

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are major investors in the arts and powerful players in cultural provision and development. HEIs are the main educators of cultural sector professionals, employ many of the UK's leading artists, lead creative innovation and cultural research programmes and are increasingly significant as deliverers of cultural experiences to the public.

They offer space for development of the critical intelligence, practical and research skills which are important factors in influencing the development of artistic talent. Increasingly, HEIs play a role in regeneration and redevelopment, and in regional cultural policy, recognising that a vibrant cultural sector is vital for attracting students in a competitive market and for social and civic well-being.

Universities are increasingly looking to the cultural sector to support overall business delivery and sustainability in new, innovative and long term partnerships. In turn this presents great opportunities for the cultural sector to engage in strategic relationships that address needs around resilient financial models, talent development, engagement, artistic excellence, international working and policy and research.

In short, in the context of delivery against Arts Council England goals as well as supporting broader issues pertinent to the overall health of the arts and cultural sector in England, universities are key players. Likewise the cultural knowledge ecology that is ever growing across the arts and cultural sector is a highly valuable asset for the education sector in England and beyond.

There are strong contextual reasons and opportunities for understanding the cultural knowledge ecology at this time which include:

greater collaboration between HEIs and the arts and cultural sector
the need to reposition the case for public support of arts and culture beyond its economic importance, and the role that higher education plays within that argument
the opportunity for HEIs and arts and cultural organisations to collaborate on new grand partnerships, underpinned by HEI public engagement strategies; development of innovation programmes; emphasis on work-ready graduates
the opportunity to align with Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects at HE level to include the arts (STEM)
opportunities for new or stronger partnerships underpinned by HEI public engagement strategies; development of innovation programmes; emphasis on work-ready graduates
the opportunity offered by the Research Excellence Framework requiring impact beyond the institution
the launch of a major AHRC funded 2 year 'Cultural Value Project' which aims to clarify how we value culture
This national event will bring the Cultural and Higher Education sectors together to share knowledge and practical resources around this rapidly evolving landscape