Issue - meetings

The Culture Mile Manager to be heard.

Members received a presentation concerning the future of Culture Mile 2021-23 and the following points were made:

·         The Culture Mile Manager stated that Culture Mile would be making recommendations to the Corporation in the New Year on how the cultural district could be used as a vehicle to support communities and recovery post-Covid through a cultural revitalisation. The importance of culture in all forms was highlighted as a catalyst for cohesion and invaluable to societal health and wellbeing.

·         The creative sector in London has been the hardest hit by the pandemic with this “cultural catastrophe” leading to mass unemployment in the sector but also students leaving education five times more likely to not get work.

·         The five thematic areas of focus were a mixed economy model, creative livelihoods, creative spaces, creative communities and a skills-building agenda. It was hoped that civic, cultural and commercial sectors could be brought together through a mixed economy model to make the City an attractive destination for culture and commerce.

·         A Health and Wellbeing approach for 2021-23 was also presented as a vision for the area to create a visitor, cultural and learning destination that is safe and welcoming to all. Culture would be used as an active tool to promote social mobility, addressing inequalities and supporting vulnerable communities.

·         A skills-building agenda through the expertise of the cultural partnership was in development whereby fusion skills could be developed for 21^st century employment.

The Chair of the Barbican Centre Board was present and recognised a huge cross over with the Health & Wellbeing Board in terms of physical and mental health work and possible collaborations. The Member highlighted that the GDA contribution to the economy from the creative sector was higher than any other and the Culture Mile initiative was hugely important in rebuilding the

A presentation from the Square Mile Food Bank.