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Sent by Arts Professional on behalf of Centre for Cultural Value |
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Derby Feste - Photo by Tom Platinum Morley |
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Measuring cultural vitality: tools and insights for place-based practice
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Where culture plays such a pivotal role in shaping place identity, fostering social cohesion and improving wellbeing, why is measuring its impact and reflecting the breadth of cultural activity across communities challenging?
This is a dilemma we’ve been hearing a lot about at the Centre for Cultural Value, and it’s what led us to open up conversations around cultural vitality. |
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What do we mean by cultural vitality?
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The cultural vitality of a place is demonstrated by the depth, relevance and connectivity of its cultural life, from highly visible activities such as festivals and performances to informal, everyday creativity in green spaces and the home. When the cultural vitality of a community is thriving, it fosters a sense of belonging, strengthening the social fabric by bringing people together in shared spaces and through collective cultural experiences. Cultural vitality looks different in every place as it responds directly to local needs, strengths and structures. |
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What does cultural vitality look like on the ground? What contributes to it? And how does it connect to building resilient, inclusive and thriving communities?
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Scoping research and interviews with representatives from local authorities led to the publication of our interim report, which introduces approaches to understanding cultural vitality and a new framework of seven cultural indicators. |
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Illuminate Oldham. Photo by Alan Hodgson |
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Writing for Arts Professional, the Centre’s Rob Eagle and Anna Kime shared more about this first phase of the project and why understanding the cultural vitality of places matters now more than ever. |
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For those curious to learn more from existing research, the Centre has also published a research digest, Understanding Cultural Vitality, that explores what the research already tells us about the many interconnected factors that make the places we live and work culturally vibrant. |
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What next for cultural vitality?
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In 2026, we plan to test the cultural indicator suite framework, working on the ground with three local authorities and embedded researchers, putting theory into practice. We’ll be sharing our findings throughout the year.
Join the Centre for Cultural Value email list to hear more about how this work is developing and about future opportunities to get involved. |
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