Talking Evidence and Audiences | June 2025

Audience development is 35 this year. With standstill funding and cultural devolution on the horizon, our CEO Anne Torreggiani says the case for regenerative audience development has never been stronger.

Last chance to help to develop sector practice and inform policy that can support growth in investment for innovation and R&D by sharing your views in this survey 

Stephen Miller writes about exploring the possibilities and responsibilities of adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) and developing solutions.

• The government published their Plan for neighbourhoods: prospectus - A £1.5 billion programme to invest in 75 areas over the next decade – a long-term strategy to fix the foundations of those places most left behind.
• Meanwhile, new priorities for culture in Wales have been officially launched, along with an £8m investment package to support their implementation.
• The Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts inaugural Fellowship to connect and support arts leaders for social change and community engagement has got under way this month.
• And according to The Guardian, sales of Oasis-inspired products have jumped 150% in the UK, with bucket hat sales up by 275%. At the same time, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour is driving renewed attention to Black heritage in country music, with cowboy hat sales spiking globally (Reuters). Whilst Britpop nostalgia and American reclamation may seem worlds apart, both show how culture and identity shape what resonates....and what sells. In the words of Beyoncé: "This is a reminder"... Heritage isn't just old buildings; it's music, fashion, time, place, and space. And audiences are ready... to wear it on their heads!

Our regular short TEA Break events are a great way to catch up on our latest audience research and sector knowledge, and discuss your own experiences.