Reimagining High Streets Conference
A 1-day event exploring regeneration through community-led culture and heritage.
Reimagining High Streets is an exciting 1-day event for those working in the arts, heritage and local authorities to explore how community-led culture and heritage activities can support place-shaping and regeneration.
- When: Tuesday 20 February 2024, 10 am – 4.30 pm
- Where: Birmingham Hippodrome
- Price: Free of charge. Booking in advance is essential
Conference theme
The event will draw on the learning from the High Street Heritage Action Zones cultural programme, Historic England's four-year programme to revitalise more than 60 high streets. There will also be speakers from other organisations working with communities to shape local places.
Hear from a wide variety of individual projects as they present the successes and challenges of delivering community-led engagement with culture and heritage and the impact this work has on local regeneration.
The day will be made up of panel discussions, interactive workshops and market-place style presentations with speakers from across arts and heritage. Participants will have the opportunity to:
- Network with others working in similar fields
- Reflect on your own work
- Seek practical hints and tips
- Contribute ideas to help projects develop the work further
Programme highlights and timings
Morning
- 9.30 - 10.00
Registration and performances from cultural programme activities - 10.00 – 10.30
Welcome and opening speech by Lord Mendoza, Chair of Historic England - 10.30 – 11.30
The impact of cultural programmes on our high streets and the people who use them
Hear from 3 speakers from across High Street Heritage Action Zones as they describe different elements of cultural programming that contribute to creating a positive impact for our high streets. This chaired session will then be open to questions from the audience.
Speakers: Daniel Bernstein, Emergency Exit Arts, Simon Boase, High Streets Cultural Programme Manager and Plymouth Culture - 11.30 – 11.45
Morning break - 11.45 – 12.30
Three breakout parallel curated conversations. Each present 2 case studies, followed by group discussion. Places are limited due to room size.- Creative spaces on the high street – how to bring them to life
This session will explore how spaces on high streets can be used for community engagement, and what outcomes this has for place-shaping and regeneration.
Speakers: Mel Taylor, Woolwich Front Room and Ryde High Street Heritage Action Zone - How heritage and culture unlock wellbeing and pride in place
This session will look at how cultural and heritage activities have a positive impact on wellbeing. The session includes participants of programmes who will share their own experiences of these projects.
Speakers: Tony Mallon, Prescot Photography Group and Janet Fischer, Live Music Now - The potential of culture and heritage to benefit local economies
This session will explore how culture and heritage activities can support further job creation, skills development, local businesses and strengthen local networks for further partnership working.
Speakers: Ben Head, Lowestoft Hi! Street Fest community producer and High Street Heritage Action Zone speaker TBC
- Creative spaces on the high street – how to bring them to life
- 12.30 – 1.30
Lunch
Afternoon
- 1.30 – 2.00
Keynote speaker - 2.00 – 2.45
Workshops exploring practicalities of working across culture, heritage and regeneration
Three practical workshops exploring themes that are important to you. You will be asked for your suggestions before the event and themes will be confirmed when you arrive at the event. - 2.45 – 3.00
Afternoon break - 3.00 – 4.00
What’s next? How to grow the culture and heritage offer where you are
Hear from 3 speakers as they share how they’ve taken projects and developed them further, with a particular focus on sharing practical learning and top tips on how to do this. This chaired session will then be open to questions from the audience.
Chair: Institute of Place Management.
Speakers: Vicky Holbrough, Navigator North, Gaye Kirby, Middlesbrough Council and Lucy Norton, The Art House Wakefield/Makey Wakey - 4.00 – 4.30
Closing speech and performance
A full list of speaker biographies will be published here in the new year.
Important information
Refreshments and lunch will be provided. Please let us know of any dietary requirements when booking.
Filming and flash photography will be taking place during the event. Please let a member of staff know when you arrive at the event if you do not want to be featured.
Travel
Birmingham Hippodrome is within walking distance of New Street Station and Moor Street Station. Getting to Bimingham Hippodrome
We have some resources available for need-based travel support so please let us know of your requirements when you book your place.
Any queries, please contact our team using the email address below.
Supported by
Cultural Programme
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Email
[email protected]
