Networking Session

It was great to have 20 people in the bar at The Key Theatre this week (Mon 26 Feb), using the Peterborough Culture Forum to have an informal catch-up over packed lunches, biscuits and brews. The facilitated check-in uncovered common themes across groups.

There is (always) an appetite for BETTER CONNECTIONS – face-to-face and online, both building relationships and sharing information about events and opportunities. Arts and community organisations can’t take on the role of public information or media companies, so we shared ideas on the best practise to create good communications:

Be a relationship builder – both for yourself and others. Go out of your way to amplify and celebrate other’s events, projects and fundraising opportunities (Benchmark: Be more Tony Nero.) Make yourself available to signpost freelancers and organisational leaders to opportunities, including those outside your organisation. (Lowmark: Gatekeeping).
Share your knowledge and practise: You can’t take it with you, so let your generosity be your legacy.
Reciprocate and acknowledge – if someone has helped you, shout about it, and return the favour.
Make your communication and events person-centred: REALLY CLEAR – straight-forward language, use access tools* like visual stories and alt-text; and WELCOMING including actively hosting new and solo** audience members and participants, thinking deeply about what people need.
Diversify your project ambassadors: Step aside so the voice and the face of a project reflects the audience you are trying to reach.
Lead so others dare too: Be a role model, try something new, taking others with you on the journey (IRL or share on your socials.)

FUNDRAISING, that perennial challenge, was raised, as were two other talking points that seemed to be contradictory: 1. APPETITE FOR RISK AND INNOVATION was, finally, starting to come back, post-pandemic, but getting 2. ENGAGEMENT WITH YOUNG PEOPLE CONTINUES TO BE DIFFICULT. Is this a contradiction, or could the first observation be a solution to the second?

Maybe Young People’s Creativity could be the topic for a future Culture Forum?

And fundraising skills?

Peterborough Culture Forum will continue, with at least one event a month – what do you want the network to do, discuss, learn, campaign on….? Vote on the options in a survey OUT SOON IN OUR NEXT NEWSLETTER. Sign up for the newsletter here.

In the meantime, have a scan below of the Marketplace call-outs below – and practise being that generous, skilled, person-centred relationship builder who is not afeared of risk, offering help, taking up new opportunities, or sign-posting where help can be found.

Thank you everyone who came, and to The Key for hosting.

Best wishes
Kate Hall
Creative Producer – Jumped Up Theatre

*Tim recommends accessing Digital Culture Network for advice re website accessibility.

**Lynne described the model, Nature Buddies, where volunteers support individuals to access nature and heritage as a good model for networking those who attend arts and heritage events on their own. Anyone else what to talk about this?

Marketplace: Skills / Contacts / Resources / Knowledge Exchange

Culture Forum attenders were asked: What do you need? What can you offer?

General theatre tech (Lx/sound/AV) + stage manager + designer happy to donate time + skills to support work/events. Looking for opportunities to DSM/show call. (Katie Harrison)
Wanted! Submissions for a new anthology of writing about Peterborough - poetry, fiction, con-fiction, essays, life-writing - peterboroughanthology@gmail.com
We need people to read at an open mic event at Key Theatre on Tuesday 12 March, 8-9pm (Andrew McDonnell, UCP)
For Asian cultural exchange including music, dancing and food, please contact me. (Rayni Reddy @ BHS)
Year 11/12 students (age 16/17) to sign up with National Citizen Service. - wearencs.com - Free drama / theatre sessions with URock. (Di Goldsmith)
I am going to do a book tour this spring - I could do with somewhere to rehearse my programme of fiction readings interposed with poetry. (Helen Claire Gould, www.zarduth.com)
It's 10 years since I sat on a bench + drew Peterborough. Celebrate 10 anniversary with me. (Lynne)
The Digital Culture Network offers free assistance for digital matters, with digital champions happy to call and discuss issues with you directly - from accessibility to emails, websites, and much more. Available at: https://digitalculturenetwork.org.uk/
Gateway Film Festival is looking for new partners who are interests in launching film programmes in year 2 (April 24-) of their BFI Spotlight Project. Funding, training and equipment available for organisations, community groups + new film programmes. (Emily, CineSister/Gateway)
I am a trained voice actor with a professional recording studio space if you need recordings for audiobooks, announcements, radio drama, podcasts, etc. Check out my website at www.timkeogh.co.uk for voice reels and to contact me. (Tim Keogh)
I know someone who makes great samosas for events! (Kate, Jumped Up)