Culture Radar Projects

Scotland + Venice Review

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 18:04:36 GMT

Announcement and publication of the

Scotland + Venice Review

In 2024 Culture Radar was appointed to lead a review of the Scotland + Venice project in association with DrewWylie, on behalf of the Scotland + Venice Partners: Creative Scotland, British Council Scotland, National Galleries Scotland, V&A Dundee, Architecture & Design Scotland and the Scottish Government.

Background

This is the third review to be commissioned by the Scotland + Venice Partners since the project’s inception in 2003. The first was undertaken in 2007 while the project was still funded by the Scottish Arts Council. The second was completed in 2018, commissioned by Creative Scotland, before the impact of Brexit on the UK’s culture and creative industries could be fully understood, and before architecture was fully integrated into the Scotland + Venice partnership and project model.

Purpose

The aim of the review in 2024 was to deliver research that enabled the current Partners determine future viability for the project, and to aid decision-making around how best to maintain and grow an international presence for visual art and architecture at the Venice Biennale in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way.

Approach

Culture Radar's resulting research builds on the findings of the 2018 review, incorporates architecture into the review process, and considers significant changes in the project’s operating context since 2018.

Review activity included desk research, an open sector survey, in-depth interviews, round tables and an options appraisal. A total of 331 individuals contributed to the review.

Publication

The Scotland + Venice Review was completed in July 2024, and published by the Partners in April 2025. To read and download the Review, please go to the Scotland + Venice website . All queries relating to Scotland + Venice and the Review should be directed to Nicola Jeffs for Creative Scotland.

The Falconer Museum

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 17:26:13 GMT

Culture Radar deliver a feasibility study for the Falconer Museum in Forres for Moray Council.

Founded in 1871, the Falconer Museum is a beautiful, sandstone building situated on Forres High Street. In 2019, Moray Council announced the closure of its Museums Service, which included the museum being closed to the public until an alternative operating model for the museum and its collection could be identified.

In September 2024, Culture Radar was commissioned to provide informed research, and realistic options for the museum's future, tested through consultation with stakeholders. The resulting report - The Future Falconer Museum: research, options appraisal, recommendations and business case - was completed in October 2024, and was accompanied by a separate Falconer Museum and Moray Museums Service Business Model Report . Both will inform Moray Council's next steps. The report will be published in due course.

Until 2019 the Falconer Museum had survived intact as the only publicly accessible museum of its size and type amongst Scottish accre dited museum s. Items in Falconer's archaeology and natural history collections are nationally and even internationally significant .

Culture Radar Director News

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 15:24:58 GMT

Culture Radar's founder and Director Jeanie Scott joins Dance Base, Scotland's National Centre for Dance as its CEO, November 2024.

After five busy and exciting years establishing Culture Radar as a consultancy for the cultural sector in Scotland, Jeanie Scott is moving on to new challenges with Dance Base, Scotland's national centre for dance in November 2024.

"I’m looking forward to joining Dance Base's talented artistic director, Tony Mills, and to work with its dynamic team and outstanding professional artists to deliver a vision I believe in and am passionate about – creating, nurturing and celebrating dance to change lives."

Culture Radar success

Since Jeanie founded Culture Radar in 2019 it has grown its business across the UK and its reputation as a research and development consultancy.

"I am so grateful to all of Culture Radar’s clients who have not only kept us busy and employed over the last five years, but who have also trusted us with their projects - and in doing so have helped us grow and develop our skills as an agency."

Landmark projects for the company include the 2022 Review of Fair Work as an action of the Scottish Government's Cultural Strategy, publication of the Illustrated Fair Work Guide (2022), the first Cultural Strategy for Angus (2021), and more recently, leading the Scotland + Venice Review (2024) for its Partners (Creative Scotland, British Council Scotland, National Galleries Scotland, V&A Dundee, Architecture & Design Scotland and the Scottish Government).

A personal comment

"I am passionate about improving working conditions in the cultural sector for its long-term sustainability - both of which are critical and uncertain issues just now.

"When I was establishing Culture Radar, my aim was to build a company that would allow me to pursue and deliver challenging and useful projects for my clients and the sector, and that would also allow me to work with and support freelance colleagues.

"I'm incredibly proud of the fact that, over and above administrative and delivery costs, we've been able to direct 30% of Culture Radar's turnover each year to paying fees to our freelance associates. In addition, we've made sure that more than 100 artists and creatives who have taken part in our research have been reimbursed for their time as a result of us always including a budget line for freelancer reimbursement in relevant client pitches."

Bio

Jeanie Scott originally trained as a dancer before spending 30 years’ working across the arts and creative industries as a consultant and Director building expertise in strategy, organisational and business development. She has been Director of Culture Radar since 2019. She is an experienced influencer and advocate contributing to debates and thinking on artists’ livelihoods in the UK and Europe. Previously Scott was Director of a-n The Artists Information Company , the UK’s largest artist membership organisation, with whom she led the Paying Artists Campaign (2014-2019). Scott is a Creative Scotland Clore Fellow and currently serves on the UK-wide What Next? Leadership Group bringing cultural professionals together to shape the future of UK arts and culture.

Artists Support Programme Evaluation

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 14:29:19 GMT

This report for Luminate demonstrates that artists who take part in peer networks and coaching experience improvements in their wellbeing, professional practice and confidence.

Culture Radar worked with Luminate in 2022 to evaluate a pilot Artist Support Programme, and was delighted to be invited to work with the organisation again in 2024 to evaluate the project's next iteration.

The programme tested approaches to supporting artists who work on creative ageing projects. Working with consultant Nicola Naismith, support was provided for two facilitated peer networks in Angus and Edinburgh, and one-to-one coaching for a third group of artists across Scotland.

The evaluation report outlines the main findings from the programme, demonstrating that the artists who took part felt that there had experienced improvements to their wellbeing and professional practice development, and that they had grown in confidence.

The full evaluation can be downloaded here from Luminate's website.

Landscapes & Horizons Evaluation

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 14:06:05 GMT

Publication of our evaluation of Landscapes & Horizons, a moving and impactful residency partnership from Luminate, Cove Park and the Scottish Refugee Council.

Culture Radar was delighted to work with Luminate to prepare the evaluation of its Landscapes & Horizons artist residency, which was a collaboration with Cove Park and Cross Borders at Scottish Refugee Council .

Six artists and cultural practitioners were selected by open call to take part and spent a week together at Cove Park. The residency aimed to support participants’ creative development through individual studio time and a series of bespoke workshops.

Culture Radar's evaluation report is available to download from Luminate's website here.

Do you need to review your organisation?

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 15:41:28 GMT

Understanding the critical issues and priorities for your organisation is key to confident forward planning in uncertain times. Is it time to consider a review for your organisation?

Culture Radar's organisational reviews bring our strategic expertise and objective thinking to the vision, work and processes of your cultural organisation.

We can help you assess what really makes your organisation tick (and what might be holding it back). We can review the whole organisation, or focus on specific areas that need attention. And we'll leave you with clear recommendations that support you in making short and long term plans for change.

Typical areas an organisational review can explore include:

Organisational values and vision.
Governance.
Organisational structure, systems, skills and job roles.
Business and operating environment.
Business strategy, models and plans.
Remuneration and salary benchmarking.
Audience experience, engagement and development.
Strategic partnerships.
Fundraising and sponsorship.
Implementation of Fair Work practices.

What a review involves

As a first step, we'll work with you to collate relevant organisational documents and data to review. Depending on the focus, we might also conduct interviews or workshops with members of your board, staff or with key stakeholders (partners, customers, suppliers or audience groups) to help inform options and our recommendations.

We will consult with you throughout the process and check in to discuss anything that need clarification. You will receive a final written report.

Some organisations also opt to have an outline action plan to help them start putting recommendations into practice, or to ask us to present and discuss the findings and recommendations with their board, teams or funders.

The duration and cost of an organisational review varies depending on its scope. As a guide, around five to ten days consultancy is usually adequate, delivered over one to two months. Please contact us for an informal chat or to ask for a quote.

The Illustrated Fair Work Guide

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 09:01:05 GMT

A guide to putting Fair Work into practice for the creative and cultural sectors in Scotland.

In June, Culture Radar published this practical guide to Fair Work for employers in the creative and cultural sectors in Scotland - with case studies and illustrations to help digest the information.

Commissioned by Creative Scotland and designed around the Scottish Government’s Fair Work policy , the guide will help employers understand how to build and grow workplaces that prioritise good, fair, and decent working practices for everyone – including freelance creatives.

Written by Culture Radar's Jeanie Scott with two well respected freelance creatives and writers Morvern Cunningham and Chris Sharratt, the guide has been designed and illustrated by Maria Stoian and edited by Heather Parry who both created the The Illustrated Freelancer's Guide .

The guide covers the basics of Fair Work and introduces each of the Scottish Government's Fair Work Dimensions - Effective Voice, Opportunity, Fulfilment, Respect and Security - with practical and inspiring examples of how people might put them into practice in the workplace.

Jeanie Scott commented: “The creative and cultural sector is a complex and varied sector that doesn’t function without freelancers. No two workplaces or projects are the same, so we knew this couldn’t be a one-size fits all guide. We wanted to get across the essential information about Fair Work and bring it to life through real-life examples.

“We interviewed employers and practitioners from different artforms and organisations of all sizes across Scotland to offer different perspectives. They were incredibly generous and candid about their Fair Work journeys, and their case studies should provide readers with real inspiration and reassurance as a result. We are very grateful to them for their support.”

Iain Munro, CEO at Creative Scotland said: “Creative Scotland is committed, to ensuring we play our part in advancing fair pay, conditions, and employment opportunities for artists and professionals working in the creative sector.

“We encourage as many people as possible working across the creative sector to read this really helpful and practical guide. Its guidance will help to create the conditions for more meaningful and sustainable opportunities to work across, and progress through, the sector.”

To read more visit our Fair Work page.

Notes:

Scottish Government’s Fair Work Action Plan (2021) aims to see progressive workplace policies which improve productivity and innovation, promote greater workplace democracy, delivery opportunities and best practice and see adoption of the Real Living Wage and fair remuneration through its implementation. The Scottish Government's vision is for Scotland to be a leading Fair Work Nation by 2025 with its people having a world-leading working life where Fair Work drives success, wellbeing and prosperity for individuals, businesses, organisations and society.

Detailed information and Fair Work resources can be found on Creative Scotland’s website .

Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com .

For press enquiries, please contact:

Sophie Bambrough, Media Relations & PR Officer, Creative Scotland
E: Sophie.Bambrough@creativescotland.com

Establishing a Cultural Partnership for Dumfries and Galloway

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 10:06:06 GMT

Culture Radar worked with Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Dumfries and Galloway Cultural Partnership Steering Group t o research a delivery model for a region-wide Cultural Partnership to coordinate and oversee delivery of the Cultural Strategy for Dumfries and Galloway .

Background

The Cultural Strategy for Dumfries and Galloway 2022-2030 was developed by Dumfries and Galloway Council working closely with a Cultural Strategy Reference Group, building on extensive engagement conducted with the region's cultural sector and stakeholders in 2019.

The project

Culture Radar was commissioned in 2023 to conduct research to inform the establishment of a Cultural Partnership for Dumfries and Galloway to oversee delivery of the cultural strategy, and to dvelop a three-year action plan informed by the research.

Working closely with a Cultural Partnership Steering Group, Culture Radar conducted desk research, in-depth interviews and stakeholder consultation sessions between March and June 2023 to:

Review strategic alignments and priorities for the strategy post-pandemic.
Develop appropriate partnership model options to oversee delivery of the strategy.
Develop an action plan reflecting opportunities for culture and heritage in Dumfries and Galloway.

Launch of the Dumfries and Galloway Cultural Strategy, its Cultural Partnership and its new action plan will be announced by Dumfries and Galloway Council later in 2023.

The Dumfries and Galloway Cultural Partnership Steering Group for this project comprised:

Dumfries and Galloway Council
South of Scotland Enterprise
D&G Museums and Heritage Network
DG Unlimited
National Partnership for Culture

The project was supported by:

Dumfries and Galloway Council
South of Scotland Enterprise
Creative Scotland Recovery Fund for Cultural Organisations

Rates of Pay Guidance Research

Thu, 25 May 2023 08:00:00 GMT

Culture Radar and Queen Margaret University research into rates of pay guidance for freelancers

Creative Scotland commissioned new research to inform the development of clearer and more consistent guidance on the application of industry standard rates of pay for Scotland’s freelance workers.

Jeanie Scott from Culture Radar worked with Alice McGrath from Queen Margaret University to undertake the research and consultation which took place 2022 - 2023.

About the project

There is a broad range of guidance, rates of pay and industry standards available to the cultural sector, but there are significant gaps and differences in how rates of pay are understood and calculated.

Findings from Culture Radar’s 2022 Review of Fair Work confirmed that these confusions and anomalies present a challenge for employers, funders and freelancers alike in knowing how to apply best practice and what represents a fair rate.

By identifying existing sector and practice-based anomalies, and proposing recommendations for change, the research will help Creative Scotland develop new, clear and consistent guidance across its funding programmes, and help establish fairer working practices across the arts and creative industries.

The research included desk research, interviews and consultations with Creative Scotland staff as well as unions, sector support organisations, delivery organisations and freelancers between November 2022 and May 2023. A final research report with recommendations was delivered to Creative Scotland May 2023.

For enquiries about the research project please contact Creative Scotland's Media Centre .

Funding application support

Wed, 10 May 2023 15:59:42 GMT

Making a case for funding is a daunting task - no matter how experienced you may be. We can help you plan your application and support you through the task.

Taking on a funding application of any scale is a daunting task. No matter how seasoned or practised you may be. Funder priorities and eligibility requirements change, and by the time you’ve read (and re-read) the guidance, considered how to squeeze what you do into the word limits, it’s not surprising that even the most focused of us begin to lose perspective.

We can help you consider which funding approaches are right for you, plan your application, help you get the right people in your organisation involved and offer constructive feedback and advice to help you strengthen your case.

Why come to us for help?

We have been through the funding application process many times! We have experience of working with Creative Scotland, Arts Council England, National Lottery among others. We have set up and managed national grant schemes and bursary programmes, and we've been assessors for both national and targeted funding programmes. We've also researched and written about funding policy for over a decade.

What we can do for you

We can help you translate application guidance and requirements, and help you consider how your organisation or project fits with funder criteria and priorities.

We can provide constructive challenge, suggest tactics and options and provide feedback and comment on draft applications. All of which will help you build a strong case and maximise your chances of success.

What we can’t do

We can't write your funding application for you, or guarantee success - sorry! But we can help you make the best possible case and improve your chances.

How it works

After meeting with you, discussing your needs and agreeing an approach and timescale, we will work with you and your team to prepare a workplan. Some clients find scheduling weekly, hour-long sessions over an agreed timeframe can be a good way to keep a steady momentum going. Others prefer 2-3 intensive workshops bringing together relevant members of the team (and/or board) to deal with critical chunks of the application one at a time. Either way, we will monitor progress with you and adjust the number of sessions you need (down or up) as we go.

Estimated cost

Every organisation's needs are different - as a guide, previous clients have used 8-10 hours of support over 2-3 months, charged at £150 an hour. Additional support between sessions (for example reviewing or feeding back on application drafts, providing support to team members preparing additional documentation) is charged in half-hour sessions. Contact us for an informal chat or a bespoke quote.

Review of Fair Work now published

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 16:27:18 GMT

Client: The Scottish Government, Creative Scotland

Culture Radar was commissioned to deliver this sector-wide Review into Fair Work, leadership, workforce and skills development in 2021.

The Scottish Government’s vision, shared with the Fair Work Convention, is that by 2025, people in Scotland will have a world leading working life where Fair Work drives success, wellbeing and prosperity for individuals, businesses, organisations and society.

A Culture Strategy for Scotland highlights strengthening culture as one of its key ambitions. To achieve this, Scottish Government committed to considering ways to support the cultural workforce, and continue to work on making the culture sector part of Scotland as a Fair Work Nation. One of the actions underpinning this commitment was to undertake a status review of the cultural workforce.

To guide this process Creative Scotland commissioned Culture Radar to consider Fair Work, leadership, workforce, and skills development across the creative and cultural sectors. This work reviews the current status, with baseline findings from which further work and research can develop and recommendations for future action.

The research is supported by a suite of evidence reports including a literature review, survey and sector mapping reports, sector consultation and in-depth interview reports.

The Scottish Government will respond to the Review of Fair Work report. Creative Scotland will continue a programme of work to develop resources supporting individuals and organisations in addressing Fair work in their activity. For other Creative Scotland resources visit here .

Read and download the Review of Fair Work reports here: Full Report and the Executive Summary .

Expertise: Research, Strategy, Facilitation

Bespoke support for cultural leaders

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 15:20:31 GMT

Leading change and planning ahead can be lonely and daunting, especially in uncertain times.

Leading change and planning ahead can be a lonely or daunting task for cultural leaders, especially when so many things are in flux.

Whether you need practical advice, or just dedicated time to “do your thinking out loud” with expert support and guidance, our mentoring will help you focus, reflect and build confidence around critical leadership issues.

Our leadership mentoring (which can be delivered in person or online) is flexible and tailored to your needs, timeline and priorities. Recent clients have found mentoring ideal for:

Thinking through and planning sensitive organisational change and restructures.
Managing complicated strategic partnerships, or board relationships.
Gaining clarity around core artistic or business aims.
Preparing and finalising business plans or funding applications.

What you will get

A block of hour-long sessions with a Culture Radar mentor.
The number and frequency of sessions depends on the support you need. As a guide, 6-8 meetings over a 2-3 month period works well, but we will be happy to discuss and advise.

What does mentoring look like to you?

Wed, 18 May 2022 13:36:38 GMT

Client: Creative Edinburgh

Creative Edinburgh has provided a mentoring programme valued by its members for many years. As part of programme development however, it wanted to review its offer and explore how it could further increase the impact, reach and efficiency of mentoring for its members across the city.

Culture Radar worked with the Creative Edinburgh team to understand the key questions it needed answered to do this, and facilitated a consultation day for its past mentors and mentees to gather insights and feedback to inform its offer.

Outcomes from the consultations allowed Creative Edinburgh to identify new priorities for its mentoring programme, as well as practical changes to improve mentoring selection, matching and development processes.

Creative Edinburgh launched its refreshed mentoring programme in June 2022. Culture Radar is working with the team to develop mentoring training and resources to help embed the new programme and get participants off to a flying start.

Expertise: Development, Facilitation

Navigating applications for core public funding

Thu, 12 May 2022 13:33:31 GMT

Client: Watts Gallery - Artists' Village

“Thank you so much from all of us for being a brilliant coach, mentor, sounding board and critical friend.” Alistair Burtenshaw, Brice Director & Chief Executive, Watts Gallery and Artists’ Village

Watts Gallery and Artists’ Village approached Culture Radar to provide mentoring support around its application to Arts Council England's National Portfolio.

Drawing on Culture Radar’s core and project funding expertise, and following initial discussion with the Watts Gallery team, a programme of mentoring and coaching sessions was agreed over a three-month period leading up to the application deadline.

Culture Radar’s support was delivered online in one-to-one and small group sessions with senior and programme team members. It included mentoring and advice, coaching and an objective point of view to help challenge, question and shape the organisation's case for funding.

Progress was regularly reviewed in order that the number of sessions could be adjusted (up or down) as required, and to check the team was receiving the right level of support to get the application ‘over the line’.

Expertise: Development, Mentoring

Taking jazz and blues to new heights in recovery planning

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 16:16:51 GMT

Client: Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival

“We are currently in the process of writing a new strategic plan and engaged Culture Radar to help organise and facilitate a board and staff away day. We worked with Jeanie in advance to determine objectives for the day and identify the best methods of delivery. During the away day, Jeanie guided us through the crucial process of examining our organisational values and ambitions as we look to reassert our relevance in this new post-Covid world. The board and staff were overwhelmed with the support and insight provided by Culture Radar throughout the whole process and there was a shared belief amongst all that we had devised the start of an ambitious and impactful plan for the future.”

Gerard Mehigan, Development & Strategy Manager, Edinburgh International Jazz & Blues Festival

Started in 1978, the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival has been showcasing international talent to audiences through its festival, one of the largest in Europe, which has traditionally welcomed around 70,000 people annually.

Like all live festivals, COVID-19 had severely impacted the festival’s business, and it wanted to review its strategy and programme as part of its recovery planning and ahead of business and investment activity for 2022 onwards.

Culture Radar worked with the festival’s senior team to prepare, design and facilitate an intensive board and staff development day which included insight talks from festival artists, information sharing, and group activities and reflections.

Key outcomes included a refreshed future vision and ambition for the festival, revived values and principles, and clearly identified strategic priorities which the company could integrate into its strategic planning. The approach also successfully brought together a board and staff team (both of which had undergone some change during the pandemic) to work together, agree a future direction, and most importantly begin to feel motivated and excited again about the festival’s future.

Expertise: Development, Facilitation, Strategy

Identifying critical priorities for Scotland’s young audiences sector

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 17:56:34 GMT

Client: Young Audiences Group Scotland

The Young Audiences Group Scotland comprises freelancers, regular and non-regularly funded organisations working with young audiences across Scotland.

In June 2021 the Group commissioned Culture Radar to help identify key needs and priorities for its ongoing work and campaigns through targeted desk research, sector mapping and consultation - taking into consideration the impact of COVID-19 on the young audiences’ infrastructure and workforce.

Culture Radar’s team for the project included sector and research experts Jim Tough and Ruth Stevenson . A final report published in January 2022 with recommendations for the Group’s future strategic development and activities.

You can read the mapping report and recommendations on the Starcatchers website here .

Expertise: Sector research, mapping and consultation

Curatorial Leadership in Collections

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 17:06:50 GMT

Client: Scottish Contemporary Art Network

SCAN’s Curatorial Leadership in Collections (CliC) programme was established in 2018 with funding from Museums Galleries Scotland, the Art Fund and with support from Creative Scotland. The programme supported a network of contemporary art curators from collections across Scotland to explore and develop best practice in working with contemporary artists, and consider how collections can be both resilient and relevant in challenging times.

As the programme drew to a close Culture Radar was asked to facilitate a workshop for the network who were considering how they would continue to work together, and to agree core values, principles and priorities to shape this work together longer term.

The workshop was facilitated online and provided the group with a reflective space to consider its achievements, distil key learning and prioritise its future actions.

You can read some of the new resources produced by CLiC during its programme on the SCAN website here .

Expertise: Development, Facilitation

A new cultural strategy for Angus

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 15:58:27 GMT

Client: Angus Alive Culture & Leisure Trust

Culture Radar led the research and development of the first Cultural Strategy for Angus, commissioned by Angus Alive Culture & Leisure Trust and the Angus Place Partnership in partnership with Stirling Council, the Angus Community Planning Partnership and Hospitalfield.

With inception of the project in March 2020 coinciding with the first COVID-19 lockdown, our team moved online to deliver the project and, working with partners and the creative community, extended the project brief to include evidence of the immediate impact of the pandemic.

The project engaged over 200 people from the local community and stakeholder groups - including from local arts, heritage, tourism, health, education and social care settings - ensuring the vision, aims and ambition of the strategy reflected local priorities.

The resulting strategy celebrates Angus' rich culture and heritage and presents an ambitious, shared cultural vision aligned to regional and national priorities and international opportunities.

Strategy development activity included:

Literature Review
Sector mapping
Stakeholder surveys
In-depth interviews
Consultation and development events

Expertise: Strategy, Placemaking

Keeping artist-led values at the heart of organisational development and expansion

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 14:43:14 GMT

Client: Islington Mill, Salford

Islington Mill is an artist-led studio complex and festival venue in a converted historic mill in Salford. Established in 2000 following the purchase of the building by artist and entrepreneur Bill Campbell, a gradual programme of renovation and development began creating artist studios, exhibition and event spaces. The Mill now houses over 100 resident artists and collectives, hosts artist development programmes, summer schools, festivals and a Bed & Breakfast for artist residencies and visitors.

Having grown organically since 2000, and after securing major capital and programme funding and support in 2018/2019. With the welcome influx of public investment to the organisation came new requirements and responsibilities however, and it was crucial to the Mill’s directors that its identity, future work and programmes remained true to the core values of its founders and directors.

Culture Radar worked with the Mill's leadership team from 2019 to 2021 to help review its vision, core purpose and strategy, and to consider its governance, structure and resourcing as it embarked on this new phase of development and expansion. The core consultancy was delivered through a series of development and inquiry sessions, additional team development and future planning days, as well as practical organisational review, re-structure and recruitment activities.

Expertise: Strategy, Development

Reviewing the role, visibility and impact of International Cultural Heritage Protection

Thu, 20 May 2021 13:48:43 GMT

Client: Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport

Culture Radar provided research support to international cultural consultant Robert Palmer to deliver an independent review of DCMS’s International Cultural Heritage Protection Programme.

The aim of the review was to develop a better understanding of the value of cultural heritage protection to Her Majesty’s Government (in particular its value for cultural diplomacy, soft power and conflict resolution) and the impact and visibility of this work in the international cultural heritage protection field.

The resulting report, Champions of International Cultural Heritage Protection: Review of the Role, Visibility, Policy Impact and Partnership Building Efforts of DCMS in the Delivery of International Cultural Heritage Protection , was published to internal government advisors in June 2021.

Expertise: Research

Coaching for Creatives action research

Fri, 07 May 2021 14:04:28 GMT

Client: Creative Scotland and Clore Leadership

Jeanie Scott and her colleague and Clore Fellow Lindsay Dunbar co-founded Coaching for Creatives in 2021 as an action research pilot project, funded by Creative Scotland (with support from Clore Leadership).

The aim of the pilot was to build more capacity for, and access to coaching for creative individuals during the pandemic, but also to inform development of a coaching model and network to benefits cultural leaders in Scotland long term.

The pilot project delivered 110 hours of free coaching to 32 creative leaders over six months, trained and accredited 11 new creative coaches and established a network of 26 professional coaches accessible through an online platform. You can read the evaluation of the project here .

Drawing on learning from the study, Jeanie and Lindsay launched Coaching for Creatives as an independent company and social enterprise in April 2021 which is now delivering bespoke coaching support to individuals and creative organisations across Scotland.

If you're interested in coaching, or finding out about Coaching for Creatives bespoke programmes for organisations, please get in touch.

When is an opportunity NOT an opportunity?

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 15:17:45 GMT

Client: Castlefield Gallery, Manchester

When is an opportunity NOT an opportunity? Identifying and securing good opportunities for freelance artists (Workshop)

“Thank you so much for a great session – really clear and informative - I’ve had some really good feedback!” Jane Lawson, Castlefield Gallery Artist Development Co-ordinator

Castlefield Gallery asked Culture Radar to draw on its extensive knowledge and understanding of creative practice and careers, to design two bespoke half-day workshops for older emerging artists for its 2020/21 bOlder programme.

Delivered by Jeanie Scott and Michael Trainor the workshops included information sharing, group discussion and activities to support the artists navigate early-stage career development, and develop the skills to confidently identify and secure useful opportunities in the market place.

Workshop 1: Introduction to the artworld and building a career; Where are the opportunities and how do I get them?; When is an opportunity NOT an opportunity?; What are your non-negotiables?
Workshop 2: Introduction to artist residencies (types, purpose and the small print); Self-organising - reasons to collaborate and how to do it well; Making applications; Preparing for pitches and interviews.

If you're interested in running a development workshop with your artists or creatives, drop us an email.

Developing a cultural trust's fundraising skills and capacity

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 15:33:12 GMT

Client: Angus Alive Culture & Leisure Trust

Angus Alive commissioned Culture Radar in 2020 to develop a training and support package focusing on recovery and resilience funding applications in the short term, and informing long term fundraising and development skills requirement.

The bespoke programme developed for Angus Alive included:

An introduction to fundraising principles and tasks
Mentoring the senior leadership team through a live application process
Supporting relationship building and information gathering with key sector funders
Training sessions and activities for the team to shape a compelling ‘ask’ and fulfil key requirements of funding applications
Reporting to Angus Alive’s leadership recommending priorities for its fundraising and capacity building skills development

The Angus Alive team were successful in accessing funding from a variety of national and local funds and programmes which resourced essential recovery activity.

Leadership mentoring and critical friend

Mon, 07 Sep 2020 14:07:24 GMT

Client: Creative Kernow, Cornwall

Creative Kernow approached Culture Radar to provide one-to-one mentoring and strategic support at a critical point of leadership transition and change in the organisation.

The mentoring relationship has drawn on Culture Radar’s expertise in a number of areas, including negotiating founder-director leadership transition; future visioning and planning; organisational review, restructure and recruitment; business planning; organisational culture and team development.

The mentoring relationship began in 2020 and ran through to 2022 to provide continuity of leadership support during significant change periods and the pandemic.

Agile and remote working

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 16:50:40 GMT

Client: Change Creation

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Change Creation commissioned and developed a series of intensive online sessions for its 2020/21 cohort of change leaders representing over 40 culture and heritage organisations across the UK.

Culture Radar and Change Creation Associates Michèle Taylor from Ramps on the Moon , Becky Chapman from Diverse City and Hannah Corneck collaborated to design a programme of workshops around agile and new working practices for the cohort, who had all rapidly switched to online working during the pandemic.

The workshops focused on:

Leading and managing distributed, agile and inclusive teams
Considering the pros and cons of distributed working
Necessary infrastructure and communications tools
Improving working practices that support and enable quality and meaningful work

Expertise: Organisational Development, Training

A sustainable future for heritage and culture in Moray

Thu, 23 Jan 2020 17:33:31 GMT

Client: Discover Moray’s Great Places

“On behalf of the partnership, I would like to take the opportunity to say a big thank you for all of Culture Radar's work, which has been excellent and exceeded our expectations. I hope there will be further opportunities to work with you again in the future.” Reni Milburn, Economic Growth & Regeneration Manager, Moray Council

Cultural Radar worked with the National Lottery Heritage Funded Discover Moray’s Great Places with the Moray Council and their local and national partners to research, consult and co-design a sustainability strategy for heritage in the region.

The project brought together and developed relationships with partners and stakeholders including Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Moray Speyside Tourism, Museums Galleries Scotland, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Creative Scotland, University of the Highlands and Islands, and many independent and voluntary heritage and culture groups and organisations.

Following sector-wide consultation, a vision and strategic framework was developed successfully writing heritage and culture into Moray’s economic development case-making for the first time, and put in place an actionable route map and plan for local leadership and investment.

You can download and read the Moray Heritage Strategy here .

Expertise: Strategy, Placemaking

Creative older adult learning in Scotland

Thu, 07 Nov 2019 17:46:24 GMT

Client: Luminate Scotland

"Working with Culture Radar was a very positive process, and the Luminate team enjoyed their collaborative approach. We’re delighted that the research findings are already helping us in our future planning." Catherine Middleton Findlay, Community Engagement, Luminate

Luminate, Scotland's creative ageing organisation, wanted to understand more about how to support development of (and access to) creative older adult learning in Scotland.

They commissioned Culture Radar to deliver sector and market research in Autumn 2019, incorporating two surveys - one for participants in, and one for providers of creative older adult learning. The survey results and report recommendations informed Luminate's forward business and programme planning.

The survey findings were published in 2020 and can be read on the Luminate website here .

Expertise: Research

Organisational storytelling

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 14:52:44 GMT

Client: Change Creation Leadership Programme

Culture Radar was asked to develop a bespoke workshop for People Make It Work's 2019 Change Creation leadership cohort of 40+ culture and heritage leaders across the UK.

Working with professional editor and writer Chris Sharratt , and drawing on Culture Radar's publishing and comms experience, we designed a full-day workshop combining information sharing, practical activities and group work.

Workshop content:

Introduction and overview to the UK’s press and media
Media relations v. public relations
Media routes for arts and culture stories
What journalists want
Press Release basics
Getting your story across
How the small details can become the big story

Workshop attendees received Culture Radar's Organisational Storytelling Toolkit and Planning Tool

Expertise: Development

Funding Creativity - Research to inform Creative Scotland’s Funding Review Options Appraisal

Thu, 06 Jun 2019 15:21:24 GMT

Client: Creative Scotland

Creative Scotland commissioned Culture Radar in 2018 to research and review UK and international funding models for culture against new income and investment streams, including social investment, innovation and place-based approaches. The research informed Creative Scotland's internal funding review, and a public version of the report, Funding Creativity, provided background to the agency's national funding consultation in 2019.

The Executive Summary to the report can be download here. The full public version of the research can be downloaded from Creative Scotland’s website here .