Our Partnerships and Development Manager, Charlene Carter-James leads on our exciting new Inclusive Networks programme. Learn more about what the programme is and how to get involved in her overview below:
Our Inclusive Network unites trailblazers, leaders, and creative activists to support, empower, and provide opportunities for traditionally excluded groups within the creative workforce. Through a mix of structured, semi-structured and informal activities, we aim to create a safe and nurturing environment for a diverse community of creatives. Culture Central will deliver an activity programme consisting of 12 co-created sessions focused on networking, care and wellbeing, safety and sector change.
Join the Inclusive Network
We invite you to join our vibrant, dynamic space where creativity meets activism and transformation. It's a catalyst for change and sector transformation, made up of new and seasoned professionals and a launchpad for the next generation of cultural leaders.
If you’re interested in being a part of the Inclusive Network, please complete the registration form.
What Makes This Network Different?
The Network aims to disrupt the patterns that reinforce exclusion by interrogating and challenging traditional networking approaches and democratising access to skills, jobs, and opportunities. We're creating a space where traditionally excluded groups can develop and thrive not just by opening doors but by knocking them down.
Not being afraid to challenge the status quo - Our network is a breeding ground for radical ideas and disrupting the sector.
Nurturing leadership – Developing the skills, confidence, and connections to rise to the top and be the change.
Critical friendship – Culture Central isn’t the authority, you are. Your voices will directly shape Culture Central's work. From EDI and cultural strategies to practical and tangible sector development opportunities, the network will be at the heart of how we shape what we do.
Creating safe spaces – We want to create a nurturing environment where you can be your authentic self while pushing boundaries and taking risks.
Keeping it chill – Fighting the power is exhausting. Let’s be radical in how we take care of ourselves too.
Who Is This Network For?
Our Inclusive Network aims to bring together individuals ‘traditionally excluded’ from the sector with an interest in personal development and sector change.
By ‘traditionally excluded’ groups we mean:
People from racialised identities
People who are (d)Deaf and disabled
People who identify as neurodivergent
People from LGBTQ+ Community
Individuals who are Care-experienced
People from disadvantaged migrant communities
Refugees
People from working-class backgrounds
What Will the Network Involve?
The activities will be a mix of inspirational and experiential activities, skills development and peer learning opportunities as well as the group acting as a critical friend to support the development of an upcoming Charter for Equity. A priority developed in discussions at our Collectively Strategising Culture Summit 2024, the Charter for Equity aims to establish principles and commitments for cultural organisations to promote equity, fair treatment, and inclusion within the cultural workforce as well as Culture Central’s wider strategic activity.
Your Network, Your Voice
It's your network, shaped by your needs and your vision for change. To do this, we need your help. Help us curate (y)our 12 Inc Net sessions*:
These are the activities we have in mind:
Space Invaders - We’re looking outward with trips, visits, and guided excursions. Where are the thriving arts and culture scenes in the country? Who/what/where can we learn from? Or is it a picnic for the group at a heritage site? Let’s take up space and go visit!
HeadSpace – Tell us how you want to unload some of the emotional and mental baggage we accumulate navigating the sector in the current climate. Lets retreat!
Curate our ‘Late Takes’ events – Anything from intimate fireside talks with your favourite thought leader, artist, or innovator, to a group of us crashin’ the party at an upcoming cultural event.
Upskill and Upgrade – How can we support your development and what does it look like? Masterclass, workshops, webinar? You tell us.
Random Socials – Initiated by you, keep it low-key and informal with networking drinks/eats at your favourite spot. You don’t need Culture Central hanging around all the time… unless it’s the buy the first round.
*We will aim to support the co-creation of this activity programme where possible within our allocated budget and timeframe. Please note that some suggestions and recommendations may be too ambitious for us to deliver at this time but be assured that they will be noted.
Upcoming Events:
Late Takes – Culture Central x Art Riot Collective + Friends of Third Thursdays
Date: 19 September 24
Time: 17.30 - 20.00
This Inclusive Network ‘Late Takes’ session is a collaboration with the Art Riot Collective and friends of ‘Third Thursday’ in FarGo Village, Coventry. Art Riot Collective will host the Network for an informal evening of networking and knowledge sharing. We will then go and enjoy some of the open studios around the FarGo village as part of the ‘Third Thursday’ offering.
Background and Context
The roots of the Inclusive Network programme for Culture Central can be traced back to the Convene, Challenge, Connect sector development programme, which we delivered for the Birmingham 2022 Festival. This initiative was a response to research carried out by Coventry University through freelancer focus groups which aimed to support the development of traditionally excluded creatives in the West Midlands.
Building on this foundation, the work of equity, diversity and inclusion-focused sector development has since evolved into various other Culture Central programmes, including: the Collective leadership programme, and the 'Diverse Artists, Diverse Audiences' strand of our B2022 Festival Legacy programme in which we partnered with 'More than a Moment' to deliver a Radical Listening Week event in 2023. Collectively this work has led to the creation of our current inclusive network programme.
The Power of the Network
We recognise that the sector still operates within a system of hierarchy and elitism, and within the arts and culture sector, networks equal social and cultural capital. This reality has historically allowed certain individuals to thrive while others face barriers.
Bringing together traditionally excluded groups has profound implications for the arts and culture sector. When we come together collectively, our experiences of exclusion and isolation can spark real creativity and innovation, artistically leading to fresh perspectives and boundary-pushing works that challenge the status quo. Culturally, it celebrates our collective experience by amplifying diverse voices and stories, whilst creating a platform for advocacy, representation, and systemic change.
This project is funded as part of our Arts Council England IPSO work.
Header image: Young people rehearse as part of the CBSO’s Project Remix ensemble. River Rea