Agenda item

In response to a question about ensuring representation of the various cultural groups at City events; Members noted the ‘Space 5’ Crowd Funding venture for Aldgate, which would enable the community to decide on the kind of events they would like to see. 

Members also noted and discussed the following:

-           Blood rite (2017) as part of Londinium – which had a particularly diverse audience.

-           Women, Work and Power in 2018 – specifically a community event in Aldgate planned for 20th October 2018.

-           Black British Art 2017 – which had been very successful.

-           Basquiat at the Barbican (2018) - the highest audience numbers ever recorded.

The Assistant Town Clerk also reminded Members that the new Cultural Strategy would facilitate further debate in this area.  There was a further suggestion that ‘best practice in diversity’ could be the subject of a Members’ session, as it was beyond the remit of Culture Heritage and Libraries committee.  Members also noted that free outdoor arts events were generally the most accessible and non-community specific, and there were plans to use former City of London Festival funding for such projects.  The Deputy Chairman of the Education Board, also a Member of this Committee, stressed the importance of widening audiences to those who do not generally attend cultural events.

A Member suggested a 12-month calendar of community events.  Members were introduced to a new officer Laurie Miller-Zutshi, Head of Cultural Programming and Partnerships who agreed to consider this and welcomed further suggestions from members on programming.