How can we reframe ‘culture’ as an essential public infrastructure? Australia based but some useful provocations given the discussions that are happening in the UK. What would change if arts and culture were understood not simply as industries to be monetised, but as a public good essential to democratic and liveable communities? The colonisation of…
My goodness I could have filled the selection box many times over this week! I take that as a good sign that there’s lots happening in the sector at the moment albeit in response to an uncertain operating environment. Exploring Creative Democracy with Goldsmiths Insights from Future Arts Centre’s forum on the notion of ‘creative…
Who benefits? Equity and power in funding systems A must read for any organisation led by and for defined communities. There is growing recognition that philanthropy, in its origins and nature, is underpinned by inequality. Much philanthropic wealth has been accrued through historically unequal labour and power structures. Without critically examining how these legacies shape…
What If Reform Wins by Peter Chappell review – a massive wake-up call Given the upcoming local elections and the changes that may bring doing some futures thinking, however challenging, is important. This semi-fictional account is certainly thought provoking. What If Reform Wins is a chilling and deeply researched scenario that takes us day-by-day, minute-by-minute through a world…
Cities of Culture & place based fundraising Given the amount of discussion about place-based working these days this briefing is a useful overview of the evidence relating to fundraising and Cities of Culture. Leading Neurodiverse and Hybrid Teams: Why Coaching Is No Longer Optional Reflecting a changing workforce this article explores the value of coaching…
Black Rock CEO interview The CEO of the world’s largest asset manager talks about energy pragmatism, recalibrating globalisation, AI and how capitalism is not working for some. Government response to the recommendations from the independent review of Arts Council England In case you haven’t already spotted it the government has publishes its response to the…
Governance and distributed leadership It’ll probably come as no surprise that I’m having a lot of conversations about the past, present and future of governance. I’m so pleased that Aspex appointed Co-Chairs as part of my succession planning as Chair. Northern Broadsides have shared their approach to distributed leadership. Why this? Many cultural organisations face leadership…
Updated Green Book 2026 The Government has published its updated Green Book. While it may not apply to individual organisations it is useful to be aware of in terms of policy expectations. The Green Book is intended for anyone involved in developing, reviewing or approving proposals that use public money. It is mandatory for UK…
Just the four this week, it’s been a bit of a busy one! Fragile to Flourishing: Museum Operating Models In case you didn’t spot it earlier in the week, our research has been published. There’s quite a lot to absorb so we’ll be sharing snippets in the coming months. Thanks to everyone who contributed and…
Leading in Uncertainty: online peer support sessions for charities Provided through IVAR these sessions ‘combine open peer support with expert-led conversations, tackling the most pressing and recurring charity challenges leaders face.’ Why this? Leadership in 2026 is less about certainty and more about containment, sense-making and shared load. Structured peer spaces recognise that many challenges…
The Invisible Legacy There is something beautiful in the notion of quiet daily acts… But a genuine legacy can be forged in the shadows. In quiet daily acts that happen when we care more about making a contribution than getting the credit. When we let go of our preoccupation with today’s standing ovation and our…
In Praise of Idleness As we head into the ‘holiday’ season I am mindful that this period often feels like anything but a holiday. Here’s a reminder that idleness has a real value. Reading for pleasure, watching a movie, resting and enjoying undistracted time with friends and family are worth doing simply because we enjoy…
Impact Economy essay collection from NPC Momentum is building across the impact economy like never before. With the launch of the Office for the Impact Economy and the Collective’s Policy Labs, government, business, and civil society are aligning in new and consequential ways. New guidance from the Charity Commission on how charities respond to the current hostile…