In 2025, Trinity Community Arts, St Pauls Carnival CIC, Citizens in Power and the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority will collaborate to launch a regional Citizens’ Assembly for Culture.
This bold new approach to cultural engagement will bring together citizens – people living, working or staying across the West or England – to explore how creative opportunities can be inclusive and accessible for everyone in the region.
Guided by the four pillars of the West of England’s existing cultural plan – skills, the economy, placemaking and well-being – the Assembly will create a series of recommendations that will help to define priorities for regional cultural output; what takes place and where, who is involved and how our regional offer is shaped and defined.
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THE PROJECT SO FAR:
The partnership secured further funding from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch) and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation for the delivery of Citizens for Culture. Citizens for Culture was announced as part of the delivery plans for West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s Culture West programme.
The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority agreed to join the partnership and support the research phase. One of the objectives of this phase was to create a series of citizens’ panels with representative groups of citizens from across the region selected by the Sortition Foundation. These citizen panels created the design principles for the Citizens’ Assembly for Culture.
£10,000 of research and development funding was secured from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch) which enabled the partners to begin the initial research phase. During this period, collaborators from the cultural sector helped explore how a Citizens’ Assembly for Culture could be used to co-create a cultural delivery plan During this phase, it was recommended that the plan should incorporate the wider region.
The project was initiated by St Pauls Carnival CEO, LaToyah McAllister-Jones, and Trinity‘s CEO, Emma Harvey, who, as community leaders, began to think about how people in Bristol – particularly those from under-represented groups – could help to inform cultural plans for the city. The pair began working with David Jubb from Citizens in Power to build democracy into cultural decision-making. programme.
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What’s it about?
The creative and cultural sectors are facing huge challenges including lack of resources, burnout and an uncertain future. So why bring citizens into decision-making? In Autumn 2025 there will be a Citizens’ Assembly in the West of England to create a citizen-led cultural delivery plan for Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
What will I learn?
This 90-minute session introduces the Citizens for Culture project, explores how it has developed over the past three-years, and looks at how the Citizens’ Assembly could support the sector. By the end of the session you will have the latest lowdown on the project as well as understanding ways for people and organisations in the creative and cultural sectors to get more involved.
What if I want to find out more?
If you attend this briefing session, there will also be a second session which will be more like a workshop, for those who want to delve deeper into the process of citizen-led decision-making and discuss how these models are designed and developed.
What if I am a freelancer?
If you are working in the creative and cultural sectors but are unsalaried then there is a £25 payment available for attending the session on receipt of an invoice. We acknowledge this will not fully cover people’s time but it is a recognition that coming to these kinds of meetings or workshops represents a real cost to freelancers.
Reserve your place on eventbrite here.
What’s it about?
The creative and cultural sectors are facing huge challenges including lack of resources, burnout and an uncertain future. So why bring citizens into decision-making? In Autumn 2025 there will be a Citizens’ Assembly in the West of England to create a citizen-led cultural delivery plan for Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
What will I learn?
This 90-minute session introduces the Citizens for Culture project, explores how it has developed over the past three-years, and looks at how the Citizens’ Assembly could support the sector. By the end of the session you will have the latest lowdown on the project as well as understanding ways for people and organisations in the creative and cultural sectors to get more involved.
What if I want to find out more?
If you attend this briefing session, there will also be a second session which will be more like a workshop, for those who want to delve deeper into the process of citizen-led decision-making and discuss how these models are designed and developed.
What if I am a freelancer?
If you are working in the creative and cultural sectors but are unsalaried then there is a £25 payment available for attending the session on receipt of an invoice. We acknowledge this will not fully cover people’s time but it is a recognition that coming to these kinds of meetings or workshops represents a real cost to freelancers.
Reserve your place on eventbrite here.
In 2025, the West of England will host its first Citizens’ Assembly for Culture, a unique opportunity for citizens to create a region-wide Delivery Plan for Culture. We are now seeking three Community Mobilisers who will build relationships with community groups, individuals and organisations across the region to encourage them to take part in the Citizens’ Assembly for Culture and the Citizens for Culture Network.
This role is all about building relationships – you’ll work with local organisations, distribute flyers and digital materials, attend community events, and organise your own Citizens for Culture Activation Event to get people involved.
We are looking for one mobiliser in each of these areas:
- North Somerset
- Northeast Somerset
- South Gloucestershire
We are especially keen to hear from people with strong connections to global majority communities, disabled communities, and/or young people.
About the Role:
Contract Type: Freelance
Reports to: Citizens’ Assembly Producer and Communications Manager
Pay: £1056 total fee (£22 per hour) spread across three months, plus a £500 budget for community events.
Additional Support: Travel costs and a meal allowance are covered on event days.
Hours: Part-time, flexible between May 2025 – August 2025.
Start Date: 15 May 2025
How to Apply:
Submit your application via this form by 5pm, 3 May 2025 or upload an audio/video application (up to 5 minutes) via the form. If you have access needs, please contact anjali@citizensforculture.info.
Interviews will be held on 8 May 2025
Click here to view the Job Description.
Between 25th March and 1st May, Citizens for Culture will be going quiet on our public communications. This is due to the start of the pre-election period for the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. This means we’ll be quiet across our channels during the run-up to the election on 1st May.
But our work continues behind the scenes, planning and preparing for the upcoming Citizens’ Assembly which will begin in the Autumn. Our team will be meeting with partners, developing new ways to engage, and gathering stories and insights to share with you after election day.
We’ll be back in May. Until then, thank you for your support!
As we prepare for the first Citizens’ Assembly for Culture in the West of England, we want to ensure that everyone has a clear understanding of the key terms that will shape our discussions. We know that language can be a significant barrier to access in democratic decision-making – so whether you’re taking part in the Assembly, following its progress, or simply interested in how it works, we’re getting you up to date with this glossary that will help you navigate the process.
Key Terms Explained
Advisory Panel
A group of up to 12 experts and community representatives responsible for selecting the evidence and experiences presented to the Citizens’ Assembly.
Citizens’ Assembly
A randomly selected group of citizens brought together to learn about, deliberate, and make recommendations on a specific issue. In this case, the focus is on culture and creativity in the West of England.
Cultural Sector
The broad range of work and activities related to arts, heritage, and creativity. This includes areas such as performing arts, music, design, heritage, film, events, museums, galleries, archives, and literature.
Cultural Delivery Plan
An actionable plan developed through the Citizens’ Assembly process that outlines steps to support and enhance culture and creativity across the West of England.
Evidence
Information and experiences presented to Assembly members to help them make informed decisions.
Four Pillars of the West of England Cultural Plan
Key principles or focus areas outlined in the existing regional cultural strategy. These guide the structure of the evidence presented to the Assembly. The four pillars are:
- Cultural and Creative Skills
- Creative Freelancers, Start-Ups, and SMEs
- Placemaking
- Wellbeing
Global Majority Communities
A term used to refer to all ethnic groups except white British and other white groups. This includes people of Asian, African, Latin American descent, mixed heritage, and other ethnic backgrounds.
Immersive Experiences
Interactive or participatory activities, such as workshops or performances, designed to give Assembly members a deeper understanding of cultural topics.
Representation
Ensuring diverse perspectives are included and addressing barriers faced by underrepresented groups to promote inclusion in decision-making.
Unitary Authorities
The four local government areas in the West of England: North Somerset, Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire. Each has its own council overseeing local services and policies.
West of England
The region comprising the Unitary Authorities of North Somerset, Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire.
Citizens for Culture
An initiative supporting the development of citizen-led approaches to cultural planning and policy in the West of England. This includes organising the Citizens’ Assembly and overseeing its recommendations.
Design Principles
Guidelines developed by citizens in workshops to shape the structure, processes, and outcomes of the Citizens’ Assembly.
Random Selection Process
A method used to ensure a diverse and representative group of citizens participates in the Assembly, preventing bias in selection.
Access Needs
Adjustments or support required by individuals to enable full participation, such as translation services, alternative formats, or accessibility accommodations.
Why does this matter?
This Citizens’ Assembly will help us shape a more inclusive and sustainable cultural landscape for the West of England. By understanding these key terms, we can all engage more effectively in the conversation and contribute to meaningful change together.
Join in with the Citizens for Culture conversation on LinkedIn.
