| MEMBER BULLETIN
Dear Jackie
As we move towards the end of 2025, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone across the Culture Network LCR. This year has been full of collaboration and collective graft - from new partnerships to shared resources, allyship, and the everyday acts of support that make the network what it is. December brings a mix of celebration and reflection: our final Connect gathering of the year, training opportunities, member call-outs and a few last bits to round off before we head into a well-earned break. Here’s what’s coming up: 🎉 Our final Connect gathering of 2025 🎓 New training and learning opportunities 🗓️ Booking now open for 2026 Round Tables 📰 Key sector updates & funding links - including Budget & LCR Tourist Tax 🤝 Member call-outs and collaboration invites 🌟 This month’s Member Showcase
Short on time? Read our condensed roundup here.
Want to listen to the Bulletin rather than read it? Then click here to give it a listen.
👋 Quick Reminders Round Table #14 – Fri 5 Dec: Culture of Courage: Standing Against Racism, Standing for Change. Uncover Liverpool automated events listings: Email Clare or Ria to set up your feed. Case Studies: You can continue to upload yours for our Statement of Unity page. Training call-outs: If your organisation has spare or subsidised training places, please share them for promotion. Uncover Competition now live! Enter and share on your socials, tell your friends!
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🗓️ CONNECT #3 - BOOK NOW
Thu 11 Dec, 2:15–5:00pm (5:00–7:00pm afters, in-person)
Theme: Our Allyship & Solidarity: Being a good ally, our coalition of shared interests
Afternoon includes: Welcome from the Culture Network team Keynote from Dr Rebecca Loy Speed networking Facilitated round-tables on allyship, access, care and collective action
Festive Social: 5.00pm–7.00pm with snacks from Spice Kitchen, a small drinks tab, and a performance from a member’s choir.
👉 Book your free member place before 3rd Dec, here. If you can no longer attend, please let us know as places are limited. 🗓️ FIRST FRIDAY SOCIAL (FFS) 🗓️ First Friday of every month, 5:00–7:00pm
📍 Circle Bar, Liverpool’s Royal Court FFS is our most relaxed meet-up. Open to all members and all LCR creatives, it’s a chance to unwind, chat, and make new connections. Expect: Free drink whilst tokens last Delicious vegan snacks (thanks to Royal Court 🍻🌱) Friendly intros so you never stand in the corner alone. No RSVP needed - just turn up!
💬 JOIN OUR WHATSAPP COMMUNITY A safe, members-only space for: 👉 Click here to join (please say who you are when you enter!)
🗓️ ROUND TABLES 2026 - BOOKING NOW OPEN We’re excited to share that booking is now open for all 2026 Round Tables - our monthly themed sessions designed to give members a safe, purposeful space to dig into the big issues shaping our sector.
On the first Friday of every month (3 - 4:30), we open 15 in-person seats at the World Museum Liverpool, with an online listen-in option available for those joining remotely. Calendar invites (including the Teams link) will be sent closer to each session.
Notes from RT #13 are available here in both written and audio format.
You can now secure your 2026 places via our booking form here.
Next Round Table - #14 – Friday 5 December, 3:00 - 4:30pm
Culture of Courage: Standing Against Racism, Standing for Change!
How can we confront hate together and build a fairer, more compassionate Liverpool City Region? Host: Akil Morgan, Community & Educational Development Officer, Capoeira For All 👥 MEMBERS CONTACT LIST
The updated December contact list is now available. Please check it over and email us if staff need adding or removing. Note: The file has 3 tabs - one with full details, one simplified for easy copy-and-paste use and one with growing list of cultural partners.
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| 💼 BUDGET & NEW LCR TOURIST TAX
The 2025 Autumn budget seems to offer some potential stabilising benefits (through general public investment, cost-of-living relief, and avoiding regressive tax rises). But for many in the arts and culture sector, especially outside major national institutions, it may feel insufficient or symbolic, rather than transformative.
In short: the Budget doesn’t appear to deliver a robust “rescue” or “revival” for arts and culture; it offers a fragile truce, better than deep cuts obviously, but likely not enough to reverse long-term decline or rising financial pressure on venues and organisations.
In other more positive news, the Government has given England's mayors the powers to charge a levy on overnight stays, sometimes referred to as a 'tourist tax'. Mayors would decide the level of the charge, and how to spend the money in their areas, under the plans which will be consulted upon. Check out the story here.
📋 ACCESS RIDER TEMPLATE
At our recent Culture Without Borders roundtable, members raised the need for clearer, more consistent support for visiting artists from visa processes to accommodation and access requirements. As part of this conversation, Katie from Liverpool Biennial very kindly offered to share their Access Rider template: a practical tool they use with all commissioned artists to identify access needs early and ensure working conditions are safe, respectful and properly supported.
We’ve now added this resource to the EDIA Working Group’s policy documents, and it will also sit within the updated Allyship, Solidarity and Action guide. It’s a useful starting point for organisations developing their own access riders or improving existing ones, and forms part of a wider push across the network to standardise support for international and domestic collaborators.
You can read and download the Access Rider template here. 🧩 SMALL STEPS - MEMBER INVITATION We’ve been working with Heart of Glass, who previously commissioned introductory training on understanding Far-Right extremism and are now opening it up to the wider Culture Network membership. The session covers what Far-Right extremism is, how it develops, and why it matters for those working in arts, culture and community settings. It is delivered by Small Steps - a specialist organisation led by people with direct lived experience of involvement in Far-Right groups - who will guide participants through the common pathways into extremism, the tactics used to recruit or influence individuals, and the early warning signs that someone may be vulnerable. The session focuses on practical, real-world insight rather than theory. Participants will learn how extremist narratives take hold in communities, how misinformation and grievance can be exploited, and what simple, informed actions can reduce harm. It’s designed to support frontline workers, facilitators, producers, artists and cultural organisations to feel more confident recognising risks, opening safe conversations, and knowing when and how to signpost concerns. Date: Monday 15 December
Time: 1:00pm-2.00pm
Format: Online
What to expect: An informative session with signposting to further resources. We’ll also gather light-touch feedback afterwards to shape any future training offers. 👉 If you or colleagues would like to attend, and for more information please do sign up here!
🌱 CARBON LITERACY TRAINING - EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
We’ve been in conversation with Zero Carbon Liverpool, who confirmed their fully funded Carbon Literacy courses are open to our members. They can run a bespoke Culture Network cohort if we can gather interest from around 10 people. Possible dates: They have budget to cover venue hire, and only require a space with a projector. 👉 If you or team members are interested, please email ad...@culturenetwork.co.uk by December 18th, so we can confirm numbers.
🎓 ARTS EDUCATION CURRICULUM REVIEW - KEY POINTS
Following the What Next? briefing and sector updates, here are the headlines: EBacc removed; arts subjects elevated to the same status as humanities and languages. Much stronger emphasis on oracy, drama, and a more knowledge-rich curriculum. Clearer national commitment to equitable access to creative learning. Reform of Progress 8 / Attainment 8 to more fairly reflect creative subjects. Enrichment is now described as a core entitlement for every pupil.
A longer sector reflection has been published on LinkedIn by board member Laura Pye.
🤝 INTRODUCING OUR ALLYSHIP, SOLIDARITY AND ACTION POLICY We’re delighted to share a new resource developed by our EDIA Working Group, with huge thanks to everyone involved for the care, insight and hard work invested in bringing it together. This document reflects months of collective thinking, lived experience and sector-specific knowledge, and we’re incredibly grateful for the generosity and commitment that shaped it. It’s been created to support our network in moving beyond allyship towards active solidarity - offering practical guidance, tools and principles to help us respond to the challenges our communities are facing right now. It highlights actions we can take as individuals, organisations and leaders to create fairer, safer and more inclusive cultural spaces across the Liverpool City Region. This is a living resource that will continue to develop, and we welcome further contributions from across the network. We hope you find it useful, thought-provoking and supportive in your day-to-day work. Accessibility An audio version of this document is available (click the ‘play’ button in the top right). Alternative formats can be requested via ad...@culturenetwork.co.uk. Click the picture below. |
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| 📢 BIG GIVE: ARTS FOR IMPACTA 7-day online match-funding campaign supporting arts and culture charities. 🗓 Deadline: 17 December 2025
More info: biggive.org/artsforimpact |
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🤝 MEMBER SHOWCASE
Each month we’ll be highlighting partnerships across the network that demonstrate shared learning, collective advocacy, and co-created programming. Our latest member case study highlights Luma Creations’ partnership with National Museums Liverpool on Cuerpos del Tiempo — a collaborative project re-imagining the Latin American gallery and amplifying Latin American voices in contemporary Britain. The partnership brought together over 200 community participants through workshops, roundtables and events, alongside talks at universities, national conferences and the British Science Festival. A major World Museum takeover helped grow new networks, raised the profile of the Latin American community, and created opportunities for artists and participants across the region. Luma Creations’ approach models equitable collaboration between a major institution and a cultural organisation - centring community leadership, shared learning and open dialogue. While sustaining full institutional buy-in remains a challenge, the partnership stands as a strong example of creativity, inclusion and collective working in practice.
If your organisation has a partnership you'd like to spotlight, email us at ad...@culturenetwork.co.uk. 🗓️ UPCOMING ROUND TABLES Round Tables are your specially themed monthly sessions, offering a safe space to discuss a major topic. Each month there are 15 IRL seats available to book here around our table at the World Museum Liverpool. You can listen in online also available - calendar invites will be sent nearer the time that includes the Teams link. #14 – Friday 5 December, 3:00-4:30pm: Culture of Courage: Standing Against Racism, Standing for Change!
How can we confront hate together and build a fairer, more compassionate Liverpool City Region?
Host: Akil Morgan, Community & Educational Development Officer, Capoeira For All
💡 Need help with travel costs? Please don't hesitate to ask - support is available.
✊ COLLECTIVE DAYS OF ACTION? If your organisation is planning a public action, solidarity moment,key date or sector-wide campaign tell us - we’ll amplify through all channels. Email Charlotte and Ria. 🧭 WORKING GROUPS - UPDATES Strategy
Awaiting Arts Council England and Hodge Review outcomes. Strengthening our relationship with LCR Destination Marketing (was LVEP) to boost our members visibility. £25–30M Creative Industries funding for Liverpool City Region; advocating for our cultural sector inclusion. Along with advocating how our members' cultural contribution has a huge economic impact especially when taking the Government’s industrial Strategy into consideration. Pride in Place and UNESCO City of Music present new collaboration potential and will be monitoring opportunities for our cultural sector involvement. Planning upcoming roundtables on international work, race equality, and AI ethics.
EDIA (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Access) The group met on 18th November to finalise plans for our Connect and to continue shaping our collective EDIA commitments. They’re working with LCR leads to improve the Workforce Survey so it’s clearer, more supportive and more useful for organisations of all sizes across the region. Connect #3 will bring together members for a keynote from Dr. Rebecca Loy, speed networking and four themed discussions of Trans Rights, Anti-Racism, Disability Justice, and ‘What We Don’t Know’ - creating space for shared learning and collective action. Later in December, the group will also feed into National Museums Liverpool’s new organisational values through a short consultation session. Our new Allyship guidance has now been endorsed by the group and will be shared with all members in early December. It’s designed as a practical, living resource to support equitable practice across the network and can be found here.
SHIFT (Sustainability)
The October meeting highlighted sustainability progress from SAIL (expanding beyond Leeds with projects like Bradford 2025 plan, a Resource Hub, and solar pilots) and GMAST (now over 80 organisations, transitioning to a cooperative model, and expanding carbon literacy training). Locally, members reported tangible progress including solar installations, electric vehicles, new carbon data programs, and a tool library. Discussions also covered connecting disability justice with climate action.
Notes can be found here. Skills & Participation
The group is exploring how we can build a central directory of cultural skills and participation opportunities across the Liverpool City Region. Early thinking includes organising these offers into four clear categories and, in time, integrating the directory with the Culture Network CRM so it becomes a long-term, accessible resource for members and the communities they work with.
Two pilot ideas are currently being developed: a multi-venue Work Experience Taster and a Festival of Opportunity. Both aim to widen access, open doors for young people and adults, and help demystify careers in the cultural sector. The group is now researching, refining and testing these concepts —all with the bigger question in mind: what long-term structure can we build that is practical, robust and genuinely useful for the region?
Want to get involved? Contact Leanne or Charlotte. Joint Promotion Driving audience reach and growth of UncoverLiverpool.com for all your benefit. Supporting members to set up automated listings (have you signed up yet, if not email Clare or Ria). Gathering video testimonials from Members. Keen to share your voice, let Clare know.
🗣️ CALL-OUTS
Free or discounted training places?
If your organisation has access to free or subsidised training opportunities - whether that’s creative skills, leadership, health & safety, or digital upskilling - please share them so other members can benefit. We’ll feature a selection in next month’s bulletin and on our member communication channels.First Aid Training
Several members have mentioned upcoming or recently completed First Aid courses. If your team has places available or plans to host training, please post details (date, provider, cost if applicable) in the WhatsApp group - it’s the quickest way for others to link up and join. |
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| 👥 GROW YOUR AUDIENCESWe are strengthening our relationship between Uncover Liverpool and Liverpool City Region Destination Marketing team (was called LVEP).Actions for members: Add Head of Marketing Pam Carroll (pcar...@liverpoolcityregiondp.com) to your update mailers and event invites so she can attend and share with the team. Automated listings: Many members are already saving time by having their events uploaded automatically to Uncover Liverpool. Want your events to appear without the manual upload hassle? Email Clare or Ria to set up your feed and grow your audience.
Every Tuesday morning, your curated Uncover Arts Bulletin lands in thousands of inboxes across the city region. It’s packed with members upcoming events, plus jobs, news, call-outs, and more - and it’s one of the most effective ways to keep audiences engaged with your work. Sign up to the Uncover newsletter here - don’t forget to share with your audiences. Share and follow Uncover on Facebook & Instagram. Use our Uncover posters and digital assets in your venues (print, display, or add to digital screens). This collective visibility = more audiences for everyone.
👉 Download assets here or email Clare for printed posters.
✅ Not sure of your full member benefits? Click here to explore everything Uncover offers. |
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| | | | | Dive in, bring your voice, and make the most of your membership. Got ideas? We’re listening! |
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| | If there is anything we’re missing in your Bulletins, then please do let us know.
What do you think of this month's Bulletin? Your feedback helps us create better emails for you! |
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THANKS FOR READING!
Best wishes, Charlotte, Ria and Clare
The Culture Network LCR Board of Directors: Emma Smith - Liverpool Irish Festival Gillian Miller - Royal Court Theatre Jay Farley - First Take Laura Pye - National Museums Liverpool Lucy Byrne - dot-art Madeline Heneghan - Writing on the Wall Nicola Triscott - FACT Patrick Fox - Heart of Glass Rob Sanderson-Thomas - Norton Priory Museum & Trust |
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