West Midlands Culture Response Unit 2023-24

Set up during COVID, our regular West Midlands Culture Response Unit (WMCRU) meetings were a vital lifeline for the sector in connecting, sharing and getting practical information and advice.

WMCRU has continued to be a useful space for organisations and individuals that Culture Central continues to support as a collective and collaborative space for all those that are interested in the cultural ecology of the region.

In 2023-24, WMCRU meetings will explore key strategic challenges and opportunities that affect the sector and the region and is aimed at those leading strategic activity in their organisations or networks. It is a place where we can all come together no matter size, scale or art form to collectively share, learn and support.  

We’ve been working with members, and the WMCRU to plan and deliver our programme until 2024, with topics including Martyn’s Law, environmental responsibility and political advocacy for the sector.

Full list of dates and themes:

11th July 23 – Public Health and Cost of Living Crisis Update  

Dr Justin Varney, Director of Public Health, Birmingham City Council. 

8th August 23 – Culture Central Updates & Summer Networking 

Relaxed meeting due to Summer, Culture Central team updates and activity.  

12th September 23 – Radical Listening Feedback – Moving towards a more equitable sector for all.  

Charlene Carter-James (Culture Central), Elizabeth Lawal (More Than A Moment) and others, will present their reflections on a series of radical listening sessions for those that have traditionally been underserved by the cultural sector. 

10th October 23 – Environmental Responsibility  

Hear from guest speakers to understand strategic and practical approaches to environmental responsibility in the cultural sector.  

14th November 23 – Politics and Culture 

How as a sector do we engage and advocate with local, regional and national politicians ahead of local, mayoral and national elections?  

12th December 23 – Martyn’s Law 

'Martyn's Law' will place a requirement on those responsible for certain venues to consider the threat from terrorism and implement appropriate and proportionate mitigation measures. Hear from an expert in implementing measures with time to share practice.  

9th January 24 – Towards a more accessible sector 

Hear from some of our recently trained access champions taking part in the Culture Volunteer programme on their learning and approaches to access.  

Getting involved

These meetings take place online at 9:30-10:30 am on the second Tuesday of every month. Please email info@culturecentral.co.uk for the link.

We aim to facilitate and accommodate all accessibility needs.  Please do let us know below if you have any specific questions, needs or comments and we will do our best to meet them.  

Header Image: Audience in The Rep’s foyer. Graeme Braidwood.