The need to think and work differently were key themes that ran through discussions at our first Wor Culture event. We welcomed 53 participants from across the culture and creative sectors to discuss how we can support the sector as we transition from COVID19. Presentations were given by Matthew Jarratt from the North East Cultural Partnership on their Recovery and Resilience Plan, a live document and process focusing on leveraging support for the sector from local and national agencies, and Laura Rothwell, Founder and Managing Director of Cystallised who have been carrying out a national longitudinal survey on how we value culture, and how audiences are feeling, on the journey through the current pandemic. Their presentations and a summary of discussions can be found by looking at our ‘past events’. With the largest section of participants opting for our ‘opportunities’ breakout group and feedback requesting a more focused discussion on ‘how to make it happen’, on the actual making of work, that will be the focus of our next session.

The North East has the scale and networks to realise coordinated, collective thinking about the action and changes we need to make. Hopefully this platform can play a part in that.