Published on 06 March 2018
On 21 February at a What Next Culture conversation held at the National Theatre rehearsal studio The Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport talked about the increasing evidence of places outside London using culture and arts as a great ‘place-making’ tool. He went on to say that one of the places standing out in this is Sunderland.
This announcement was timely given that a series of high-profile guest speakers will address audiences of students, staff and the public at the University of Sunderland on exactly that topic – using culture and arts to define a sense of place and to galvanise support and momentum for regeneration.
Under the banner ‘Leading the Renaissance: Responding to Challenges of Economic and Social Renewal’, the one-hour talks - hosted by the Faculty of Business, Law and Tourism - will explore the city’s cultural and physical regeneration. The speakers will discuss the power of culture as a catalyst for economic growth and how it can challenge how residents and visitors feel about a place – even building pride and a sense of belonging and ambition.
Dr Rob Worrall, Principal Lecturer in the University of Sunderland’s Faculty of Business, Law and Tourism, said: “We are delighted to welcome such a high profile group of leaders to the Faculty of Business, Law and Tourism. We are keen to ensure that our students get an informed, and wider view of the cultural led economic and social transformation emerging in Sunderland, and the role of place-based leadership spearheaded by the University and its partners.
“We also believe this story should be shared more widely and would like to encourage businesses and other organizations to come and benefit from what will no doubt be an inspiration series of talks.”
The talks have emerged from a collaborative research project ‘Renewing Place: A case study of the leadership challenges of a Higher Education anchoring institution, leading cultural and civic renewal’, conducted by Dr Rob Worrall alongside Keith Merrin, Chief Executive of Sunderland Culture and Director of National Glass Centre.
Using the experience of the University of Sunderland as a place-shaper in collaboration with its partners, their research explores the challenges, achievements and lessons to be learned around place-based leadership and how a university anchored in its location can work with partners to enable a city’s rebirth through creative, cultural and civic renewal.
The events are free to attend and there is no need to book.
PROGRAMME
Chairman of the University of Sunderland’s Board of Governors, Co-Chairman of the North East Cultural Partnership and a Non-Executive Director,/Governor/Trustee of Narrative Integrated Communications, Husband and Brown, TEDCO Business Support Limited, Sunderland MAC Trust, Sunderland Business Ltd, Sunderland BID Limited, Sunderland Culture Limited, Ryhope Engines Trust, Castle View Enterprise Academy Trust and Castle View Community and Fitness Centre Ltd. Before retiring in 2012 John was the Director of Corporate Affairs at Northumbrian Water and has also been President of the North East Chamber of Commerce.
In his talk John will cover North East Culture and what we can learn from others in the region, the case for culture – and for capital – and triggers for change.
2-3pm, Tuesday 13 March, Room 112, Reg Vardy Building, University of Sunderland, Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s, SR6 0DD
A creative broker, Matthew Jarrett facilitates arts and culture projects that bring the public and private sectors together with the artist. After 15 years spent at Arts Council England, Matthew is now a conduit and curator, whose work delivers bold, creative and inspiring visual arts projects mainly in the UK – though he has also curated a number of contemporary arts projects in China.
In his talk Matthew will discuss how he is using his experience to draw together the worlds of business, arts, policy, education and EU funding to work with UK artists and organisations in London, the North East and Internationally.
2-3pm, Tuesday 20 March, Room 112, Reg Vardy Building, University of Sunderland, Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s, SR6 0DD
Paul is Chairman of the Leighton Group – the global set of technology, software, media and communications businesses that he founded.
Previously Chairman of ONE and Chair of Chairs of all of England’s Regional Development Agencies, Paul has been Chair of Sunderland’s Economic Leadership Board and until summer 2017 was Chairman of the University of Sunderland. He is currently Chair of Sunderland Music, Arts and Culture Trust and sits on the Board of Sunderland Culture Ltd.
In his talk Paul will talk about the role of culture in regeneration, covering economic and regional issues, then outline a strategy for meeting requirements and a proposed solution to challenges.
2-3pm, Tuesday 17 April, Room 112, Reg Vardy Building, University of Sunderland, Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s, SR6 0DD
As the director of Sunderland’s bid to be UK City of Culture in 2021 Rebecca led a team that successfully took Sunderland’s bid through the first round to the final selection process, gaining huge regional support and positive momentum behind the city’s future regeneration and cultural ambitions. Prior to her lead role on Sunderland 2021 Rebecca was Director of The Cultural Spring, Sunderland and South Tyneside’s Creative People and Places programme and has held a number of lead roles in the arts, including being Director of Arts for the South East, where she led the region’s Cultural Olympiad programmes.
In her talk Rebecca will cover the experience of bidding for UK City of Culture, questions that the bidding process raises on the impact of culture on a place and the importance of engaging a broad public in the development of city-wide cultural strategies.
2-3pm, Tuesday 24 April, Room 112, Reg Vardy Building, University of Sunderland, Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s, SR6 0DD
Using the experience of the University of Sunderland as a place-shaper in collaboration with its partners, speakers explore the challenges, achievements and lessons to be learned around place-based leadership and how a university anchored in its location can work with partners to enable a city’s rebirth through creative, cultural and civic renewal.