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Citizens for Culture is a groundbreaking initiative that places local people at the heart of cultural decision-making in the West of England. Through the UK’s first Citizens’ Assembly on Culture, a diverse group of residents will come together to shape a Cultural Delivery Plan that reflects the needs, priorities, and ambitions of the region.
The assembly will address the question:
“What would culture and creativity look like in the West of England if they were for everyone?”
The recommendations will help influence funding, policy, and investment in cultural projects across Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire.
Culture is central to our communities, yet decisions about funding and priorities are often made without public input. Citizens for Culture ensures that everyone has a voice in shaping the future of creativity in our region, not just those traditionally involved in the arts.
This initiative will:
✔ Ensure fairer access to cultural funding and opportunities
✔ Encourage fresh perspectives and new ideas
✔ Create a citizen-led Cultural Delivery Plan that influences policy
✔ Support economic growth, skills development, and wellbeing through culture
This is part of a wider movement towards citizen-led decision-making, ensuring culture is shaped by the people who experience it.
Citizens for Culture is a partnership between cultural organisations, funders, and local authorities, including:
✔ Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire Councils
✔ West of England Combined Authority
✔ Cultural partners such as Trinity Community Arts & St Pauls Carnival
✔ Funders including Arts Council England, Paul Hamlyn Foundation & Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
✔ A network of over 100 community and cultural organisations
A democratic lottery (sortition process) will ensure a representative mix of participants. This means:
✔ A random selection process that reflects the region’s diversity
✔ Extra emphasis on involving underrepresented communities (e.g., global majority communities, disabled people, rural residents, young people)
✔ Participants will receive support (e.g., expenses, access needs) to ensure everyone can take part
The selection process is independent and fair, ensuring that no single group dominates decision-making.
No. Arts organisations are essential partners in this process. Citizens for Culture is not about replacing expertise—it is about bringing fresh perspectives into decision-making.
Cultural organisations will have multiple roles:
✔ Contributing evidence and expertise to inform the assembly
✔ Helping to implement the recommendations after the assembly
✔ Acting as Assembly Advocates, supporting citizen-led approaches
This is about creating stronger partnerships between citizens, cultural leaders, and policymakers.
This is not just a talking shop—it will lead to real action. The assembly’s Cultural Delivery Plan will:
✔ Inform local and regional cultural strategies
✔ Influence funding decisions from major public and private sources
✔ Ensure long-term citizen oversight to track progress
✔ Pilot new projects with a dedicated £100,000 fund
The goal is to create a long-term shift in how cultural policy is made, ensuring citizens remain part of the decision-making process.
While local authority budgets are under pressure, this initiative helps make better use of existing resources. The assembly will:
✔ Ensure funding is allocated fairly and strategically
✔ Help cultural organisations work smarter, not harder
✔ Encourage investment from new sources
✔ Develop ideas that make culture more sustainable
Rather than competing for the same funding, this is about collaboration and smarter investment.
The assembly’s recommendations will be based on evidence, expert input, and citizen deliberation—not just opinion. The process is designed to be fair and balanced.
Local authorities and cultural organisations have committed to taking the recommendations seriously. The Citizen Oversight Panel will hold them accountable, ensuring that decisions aren’t ignored.
✔ Sign up to receive updates – Stay informed about the Citizens’ Assembly and its findings.
✔ Contribute evidence – Individuals and organisations will have the chance to submit ideas and research.
✔ Attend public events – There will be community workshops and discussions before and after the assembly.
✔ Become an Assembly Advocate – Support the work of Citizens for Culture and help bring the recommendations to life.
For updates, visit citizensforculture.info or follow us on LinkedIn.
Citizens for Culture is about democratising decision-making in the cultural sector, ensuring everyone has a say in shaping the creative future of the West of England.
This is an opportunity to influence how culture is supported, funded, and developed—for everyone, by everyone.
📌 For more information, click here
Citizens for Culture is a project developed in partnership with St Pauls Carnival, Trinity Community Arts and Citizens In Power.
In 2023, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority joined the partnership as part of their region-wide investment in culture.
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