Brave. Bold. Inspiring.
In September 2020 over 100 creatives from Greater Brighton came together to focus on how the creative and cultural sectors could emerge from the coronavirus pandemic stronger, connected and more resilient.
This collaboration resulted in The ABCD Plan for Cultural Recovery in Greater Brighton – a plan which aims to create new jobs and training opportunities for creatives, and to showcase Brighton as a world class arts destination.
Fast forward to late 2021 – venues are open, artists are working – it’s time to shout loudly about how cultural and creative organisations are at the forefront of the city’s recovery.
Enter ABCD Igniter – a series of online events featuring international, national and local speakers – that will provoke ideas, suggest new ways of working, and invite you to re-energise collaborations.
The events
Wednesday 2nd February 2022 12:30-2:30pm ONLINE
An interactive webinar on the appetite for creative risk in a region like Greater Brighton.
Provocative ‘lightning talks’ from high profile figures about Greater Brighton as an incubator for creativity and innovation; the ‘superfusion’ model of art and tech; and questioning whether the current investment of time, money, training, and will, is ambitious enough.
Speakers
Bonnie Greer OBE – award-winning playwright, author and critic
Alex Barker – CEO/Captain, Be More Pirate
Emily Berwyn – Director and Founder, Meanwhile Space
Helen Jewell – Programmer, The Old Market
Wednesday 16th February 12:30-2:30pm ONLINE
A New Resilience for Greater Brighton
Why was Brighton & Hove so bruised by the pandemic and where does the grit to thrive again come from?
Experts, lived experience creatives, young people and economists will lead a discussion about a new resilience, protection for freelancers and how creative communities can be strengthened in a crisis.
Speakers
Dr. Sophie Cook – Speaker, Broadcaster, Author, Football Manager
Nelson Navarro – Rapper, Producer, Community Musician
Dave Moutrey – Director and Chief Executive, HOME Manchester
Dr. Josh Siepel – Senior Lecturer, University of Sussex Business School\lead AHRC Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre work on Creative Clusters, Innovation and Access to Finance
Wednesday 2nd March 2022 4:30-6:30pm ONLINE
Compassionate, Creative… and Commercial?
How are sustainable business models and socially-focused creative practice combining – in and outside of Greater Brighton?
‘Lightning talks’ from creative entrepreneurs and cultural leaders who will throw down the gauntlet, making the case that now is the time to be bolder about creativity earning its keep.
Speakers
Wana Udobang – Writer, Poet, Performer, Storyteller
Richard Ainsworth – MD, Rodhus Art & Design
Paul Richards – Founder and Director, Stay Up Late
Michael Hogben – Arts and Antiques Expert, TV Presenter, Author
Wednesday 16th March 2022 4:30-6:30pm ONLINE
Clusters, Communities + Co-working Spaces
Discussion and panel event on Greater Brighton’s creative ecosystems and what they need to thrive in the 21st century.
An opportunity for reflection of the hard stats and personal stories. Working together to define the ideas and opportunities that will put creative practice on every street and in every workspace throughout the city region.
Speakers
Jessica Ryan-Ndegwa – Founder, Design for Disability
Dr Cissie Fu – Emily Carr University of Art & Design
Lefteris Heretakis MA RCA – Course Lead Graphics & Illustration, Buckinghamshire New University
Mat Hunter – Co-Founder, Co-CEO, Plus X
These online events are free to attend for those who work in the creative industries within the Greater Brighton area.
The ABCD Recovery Plan runs until the end of 2022 and has so far raised over £350k for the cultural sector in the city. The Plan is overseen by an independent group of people formed of a Governance Group and a series of Working Groups. Its aim is to create paid work and professional opportunities for creative workers in the city, developing a more inclusive cultural offer and encouraging partnership work to strengthen the creative sector in the long term. Partners include Brighton & Hove City Council, Arts Council England, Brilliant Brighton Business Improvement District, the Pebble Trust and many funded arts organisations in the city.
If you work in the creative industries and want to find out more and get involved visit www.cultureinourcity.com.
As a member of the Engine Room working group for the Cultural Recovery plan I’m thrilled to see this event series take flight. Creative workers and cultural organisations of all scales have had to adapt in precarious circumstances. These Igniter events will exchange ideas and draw inspiration, as well as peer-led development from thought leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs locally and from across the world to catalyse new ways of working, renewed resilience and energy into 2022.
Peter Chivers - Director, Future Creators
The ABCD Igniter Events series, organised by always possible and funded by the Government’s Welcome Back Fund, is an opportunity for you to be heard, to learn, to challenge and be inspired – empowered by Brighton’s radical heart.
As part of the ABCD Cultural Recovery Programme, the Igniter event series reimagines how the creative sector can emerge from the pandemic stronger, more connected and more resilient. Brand new. Bold. Brave and Inspiring. Visit www.cultureinourcity.com for more information.
