News / Arts
First-of-its-kind citizens’ assembly to decide on future of culture
What would culture and creativity look like in the West of England if they were truly for everyone?
This is the question Citizens for Culture are asking with their landmark citizens’ assembly.
The first of its kind scheme in the UK will offer people living, working or staying in the region a chance to share their views on what culture and creativity should look like.
is needed now More than ever
The citizens’ assembly will empower people to engage in and shape the way the region invests in arts and culture.
The project aims to particularly involve people from backgrounds that are traditionally disengaged from culture and creativity.
On Thursday, 15,000 households across the west of England will receive invitations to apply to participate in the assembly.
Of the people who apply, 52 will be chosen at random to make up the assembly.
The result will be a cultural plan to be announced in November and delivered in 2026.
West of England mayor Helen Godwin at Temple Church – photo: Rob Browne
West of England mayor Helen Godwin joined representatives of Citizens for Culture at Temple Church on Monday morning to officially launch the assembly campaign.
While campaigning in March, Godwin expressed a commitment to creating more creative pathways.
She described the Citizens’ Assembly as a chance to grow the conversation around the West of England’s cultural offering, increase opportunities for work and experience in creative roles and involve people who haven’t been involved before.
Godwin described art and culture as “part of the fabric of our economic growth here in the region”, adding that the role of the combined authority is “supporting where we can and making sure that that offer is appropriate, diverse and accessible for as many people as possible”.
The project was brought about by LaToyah McAllister-Jones from St Paul’s Carnival, Emma Harvey from Trinity and David Jubb from Citizens in Power, who began talking about this in 2022 in collaboration with grassroots cultural organisations and freelancers.
Harvey said the idea came about after “working in the industry for a very long time and seeing how decisions were made all the time by people who don’t live and work in the area”.
“As somebody who’s really passionate about arts and culture and creativity and what it means to people,” Harvey said.
“I thought one of the ways to do something about that was to let people have a chance to have a conversation about culture and creativity and what it means in an area like west of England.”
The public launch of the assembly was set to the backdrop of rehearsals for an all-female and non-binary production of Henry V by Insane Root, a Bristol-based theatre charity known for their plays set in unique and unusual venues.
Justin Palmer, co-founder of Insane Root, said that the Citizens’ Assembly could help “open up” opportunities for different ideas, partnerships and funding, which has been “very tough” to source in recent years.
Citizens for Culture at Temple Church – photo: Rob Browne
Main photo: Rob Browne
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