Our Creative Future: A shared vision for culture in Hampshire and The Solent
Join creatives, practitioners, arts and heritage partners, policy and decision makers from across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton for a time of sharing and agenda setting at a pivotal moment for our region.
See below for more information.
Where?
The Lens Studio, Portsmouth Guildhall + streaming online
When?
Friday 5 December,
10:30 am
-
3:00 pm
Tickets
Free - booking essential
Presented in partnership by
This event is a chance for our creative community to come together and better understand the potential opportunities within a new Mayoral Combined County Authority. Building on work already undertaken across Hampshire and the Solent, attendees will be presented with an overview of the views shared so far on this journey and have an opportunity to respond to the emerging grassroots vision for culture.
We’ll hear from political and sector leaders, including those who are ahead of us on the journey to champion culture in devolved authorities. Breakout sessions will draw out themes and opportunities from across places and disciplines so that the region’s cultural and creative sectors can speak with one voice.
Together, we can ensure that arts, culture, creativity and heritage are not just part of the conversation, but central to the vision for a new, confident and inclusive future.
Schedule
10:30 am
Check in opens in The Base, tea and coffee's, informal networking
11:00 am
Keynote Introduction
11:10 am
Speeches Commence
11:40 am
Q&A Panel
12:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm
Presentation of consultation findings
1:15 pm
Break-out sessions commence
2:00 pm
Final speaker
2:15 pm
Event summary and closing thoughts
3:00 pm
End of event
Speakers and facilitators
Sarah James
Head of Cultural and Creative Economy Service,
West of England Mayoral Combined Authority
Originally Visual Arts trained, Sarah James has over 25 years’ experience working in the creative and cultural sector including holding director and senior roles in internationally and nationally significant arts and cultural organisations including Arts Council England, English Heritage and the Royal Opera House; where Sarah led on business planning, change management and setting organisational and regional strategy.
Sarah has a strong track record in securing inward investment for arts and creative programmes and developing cross sector partnerships which leverage funding into the cultural sector. Sarah is passionate about embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything she delivers.
Claire McColgan CBE
Director Culture Liverpool,
Liverpool City Council
Claire is a distinguished cultural leader with over 30 years of creative experience in local and central government, specialising in transformational cultural initiatives. Notable achievements include producing major international events such as Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture 2008, Eurovision 2023, and the city’s acclaimed COVID-19 response reopening events for the UK. She is Director of Culture, Visitor Economy and Major Events for the City of Liverpool and the wider region.
Claire is a respected and frequently sought national and international advisor and speaker on best practice in Culture and is an experienced executive producer of award-winning events.
Claire is responsible for the city's UNESCO City of Music status and is leading on the transformational United Nations Accelerator City Programme. She has advised many cities around the world on culture and regeneration. Claire is a Non-Executive Director at Carnegie UK and Visit Isle of Man and is Deputy Chair for the UK government's City of Culture programme. Claire was awarded an MBE and then a CBE for Services to Culture and Arts and is an Honorary Fellow of John Moores University. She was also recently awarded an honorary doctorate of Arts from Edge Hill University for her services to the City of Liverpool.
Claire was previously Deputy Chair of the expert advisory panel for the UK City of Culture 2025 competition and has been selected again for UK City of Culture 2029.
Phil Gibby
Director of Development and Communications,
Arts Council England
Phil joined the Arts Council from Welsh National Opera where he was Director of Development and Communications. Previously Phil had held a number of senior roles at one of the Prince of Wales’s charities, Arts & Business, and headed the Marketing and Development department at Bristol Old Vic. He began his career as a journalist on local newspapers in Surrey before becoming news editor of The Stage. Phil is a Henley Business School certified coach. He has chaired, and served as a trustee of, a number of cultural, charitable and educational organisations in Bristol, where he has lived for 20 years, Wales, and the wider south west.
Paul Sapwell
Chief Executive Officer,
Hampshire Cultural Trust
Paul has led the development of Culture Connects as chair of the partner group, guiding its evolution. He will open the day by setting the scene, outlining the role of Culture Connects, and sharing how the feedback and ideas from this event will shape future strategy and advocacy.
FAQs
The venue
Where to find it
Portsmouth
PO1 2AB
Contact us
