Diverse Artists, Diverse Audiences

Culture Central was identified as the Birmingham 2022 Festival Legacy partner and worked to take forward key recommendations that will contribute to the legacy of the Festival in partnership with funders and stakeholders in the region. One of these outcomes was continuing to diversify audiences and artists in the West Midlands.

We explored the relationship between diverse artists and audiences within the legacy outcomes and theory of change of the Birmingham 2022 Festival and assessed the festival's success in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts, through a series of ‘Radical Listening’ Sessions and a ‘Critical Dialogue’ event. This programme sought to highlight and celebrate the rich cultural diversity present in Birmingham and its surrounding regions, while also fostering inclusivity and representation in the arts.

Culture Central worked in partnership with ‘More Than A Moment’ (MTAM). An organisation set up to bring forward bold and radical action to ensure equity and inclusion for black creatives in the arts and culture sector.

Radical Listening Week

Radical Listening Week ran 11th – 15th September 2023. Each lunchtime (12-1pm) we hosted a session with representatives from the: South Asian, LQBTQIA+, D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent, working class and Black creative workforces’, who discussed their lived experience of navigating the culture sector and the key factors that are barriers to that group's success.

The term “radical listening” refers to the discipline of focusing intently on what another is saying, while suspending your judgement and biases to reach a place of understanding. Ultimately the event aimed to foster deeper connections, build empathy, and promote social change. 

Critical Dialogue

The Beautiful Futures Festival was a three-day celebration and rallying cry, shining a spotlight on new creations by Black artists and envisioning and shaping the future of culture and creativity in the 21st century. In October 2023, Culture Central joined forces with More Than A Moment on October 20th, presenting the Beautiful Futures Summit day — an intersectional critical dialogue for the sector.

At the Beautiful Futures Summit, we reviewed a year of action for the MTAM pledge and an exploration of the practical steps required to reimagine the culture sector in the 21st century.

This programme was funded as part of our Birmingham 2022 Legacy work.

Photo: Blood and Fire exhibition at Soho House. Photo Jas Sansi/Birmingham Museums