Thank you again to everyone who attended Wor Culture events in 2021 and sent in your feedback about the series so far. We are delighted to announce some dates for our programme in 2022, including our first in-person events which will offer an opportunity to network and as always we encourage the sector to put forward ideas for content to shape the programme going forward.
See you in 2022!
![](https://blogs.ncl.ac.uk/culturencl/files/2021/12/Wor-Culture-Twitter-Card-High-Street-1-1024x536.png)
Are Artists the Future of the High Street? (Online)
Thursday 13th January 12.30 – 14.00
This event is BSL Interpreted
The future of the High Street is on everyone’s lips, as more and more shoppers move online. What can artists and creatives bring to ensure town centres don’t die?
In the North East, Creative Enterprise Zones (CEZs) are being scoped in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland as one way to support the long-term development of the culture and creative sector and to help reimagine our urban and rural centres.
In this session we hear from Matt Baker about Mid Steeple Quarter in Dumfries. Matt will discuss the core project of Midsteeple Quarter, which is to enable the community of Dumfries to take the lead in the re-development of a block in the heart of the town to shape a new future for the town centre that is responsive to the needs of the community and run for their benefit. The local community have developed the vision through consultations dating back to 2011, and with the active support of Dumfries and Galloway Council and numerous other local and national partners.
Feedback from previous Wor Culture Events have meant we have chosen to have fewer presentations with more time for discussions. These discussions will be based around 3 main themes.
• Creative Enterprise Zones: What kind of mechanisms are needed to ensure CEZs/creative hubs embed within and grow the cultural ecology of the places in which they are located? How can the high street/cultural hubs/CEZs create the conditions to enable the cultural sector to stabilise and grow through and after the pandemic?
• Representative: What do we need to ensure that the development of CEZs/cultural hubs are representative and respond to local need?
• Distinctiveness: How can rethinking the high street to counter the monotony of same-old high street stores draw on and develop local distinctiveness? Beyond CEZs or cultural hubs, how else can artists shape the high street? What is needed to enable this?
REGISTER HERE
*Sector Suggestion* (Online)
Thursday 10th March 12.30 – 14.00
Please share your suggestions for themes, speakers and content or put yourself forward to contribute by emailing bob.allan@ncl.ac.uk
Hold the date!
Wor Culture Networking Lunch @ The Core
Thursday 28th April 12.30 – 14.00
Wor Culture will facilitate an in-person networking event at The Core, Bath Lane featuring quick fire presentations, pre-recorded videos and written content to inform discussion around sector challenges and opportunities.
Please share your suggestions for themes, speakers and content or put yourself forward to contribute by emailing bob.allan@ncl.ac.uk
Hold the date!
Wor Culture is a forum for discussing issues relating to the culture and creative sectors in the North East, and contribute to shaping its future. The gathering is facilitated by Newcastle University but we strongly encourage the sector to propose topics for discussion, join in the debate, or offer to lead a session.
Wor Culture is able to support attendance at events through small bursaries to assist with travel and childcare. Please email bob.allan@ncl.ac.uk