How can you make your arts website more accessible to disabled and deaf people? This guide explains ten simple, tried-and-tested ways for making your cultural organisation’s site work across the board, illustrated by real-world examples.

Note on the ‘demographic timebomb’ of the UK’s increasingly aged population and the implications for marketing to older people.

Report on a seminar on developing culturally diverse audiences, focusing on Black and Asian audiences. The Arts Marketing Association (AMA) hosted a seminar called ‘Opening Doors’ in June 2001. With notable exceptions, the audiences of most arts organisations do not reflect the makeup of the UK population. Opening Doors focused on two objectives: 1. To help delegates understand some ... Read more

Based around a case study of Theatre Passe Muraille, Canada’s oldest new work theatre, this explores what ‘audience engagement’ really is – should cultural organisations challenge themselves to reconsider the relationship they want with their communities? It considers how an organisation can engage a diverse community of people with its artistic work.

How action research can help an organisation develop a better understanding of its visitors, broaden its audiences and explore new ways of communicating with them. Based on a case study of West Yorkshire Playhouse’s recently-launched programme of audience-focused action research.

Describes how Harrow Arts Centre turned their wish to engage with more young people into a programme of participatory projects led by 13-25 year olds. Following the centre’s taking part in the A Night Less Ordinary event, one of these projects developed into The Guestlist, a membership scheme created by and for young audiences.

This long and honest report evaluates the experience of the NorDAF projects as part of New Audiences, looking at barriers to the arts for disabled people, with Theatre Royal Newcastle, Tyne and Wear Museums, Northern Gallery of Contemporary Arts, Northern Print Studios. This case study has lessons equally on how to set up and run ... Read more

To coincide with the reporting on ‘A Night Less Ordinary’, the ACE-funded national scheme to increase the numbers of young people attending theatre, this round-up gives brief description of and links to a range of other resources and case studies on the theme of young people’s access to the arts, from 1999 to 2010. Several ... Read more

This report details the outcomes of Mencap’s three consultations that took place between 2007 and 2009 aimed at discovering how people with a learning disability are engaged with the arts in England. They included young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities in the consultation and sought to cover as broad a geography and range ... Read more

This document takes a look at some of the key developments across Europe in terms of funding and collaboration providing a framework for increased cross cultural engagement. This is a detailed discussion that develops the theory that the creative and cultural industries are increasingly recognised as a powerful motor for jobs, growth, export earnings, cultural ... Read more

This research report provides an evaluation of the work undertaken by a Creative People Disability Co-ordinator employed by Arts Council England. It evaluates the process of developing a series of six projects over the first year of a two year project. The work aimed to increase the ability of Creative People’s networks to respond, and ... Read more

This report provides an overview of the learning points from the Enabling Cultural Diversity – Lancashire project. This initiative sought to develop and pilot relevant audience development activity with culturally diverse communities in Blackburn, Preston and East Lancashire. The objectives included auditing the culturally diverse arts activity in the area, creating information resources such as lists and ... Read more

This series of five case studies demonstrate different possible approaches for increasing the diversity of your audience. From the Balti Bus project at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, through to The Ramayana at Royal National Theatre London, each project approach is outlined and its effectiveness evaluated.  

This report provides an overview of learning points from the Enabling Diversity – Greater Manchester project. This initiative sought to develop and provide relevant and sustainable audience development activity with culturally diverse communities in Greater Manchester. The objectives included securing active involvement of member organisations, building market intelligence and delivering marketing activities to specifically targeted communities. 

In this article Andrew Lewis outlines the PSA3 target set by the DCMS, used to measure under-represented groups. He looks at some of the statistical evidence which demonstrates which groups are the least represented in the arts – in terms of both attendance and participation, and reports on some of the known barriers which organisations ... Read more

Developing approaches to engage with diverse audiences, specifically disabled audiences, Black and Minority Ethnic groups and lower socio-economic groups. This study explains the motivational and functional drivers that can stimulate demand, alongside barriers to engagement and how to overcome them. A holistic organisational approach supported by a range of tactics is recommended, drawing on practical ... Read more

In the cultural sector, working with international artists and culturally diverse communities has become second nature. This article outlines the value and contribution of Diaspora communities, obstacles for engagement – including stereotypes across all sectors, and how we can better understand these communities. You’ll find a series of recommendations including implementing two-way communication, creating a balance ... Read more

Discover arguments for focusing on cultural diversity, examples of good practice and practical advice for marketing, management and audience development in this comprehensive guide.

Cultural organisations are considering the impact that an ageing society will have on the sector. In this useful pack you’ll find resources to help you be ‘bolder and wiser’ in your approaches with this audience. It includes facts and figures, cultural engagement information and a list of potential partner organisations who work with older people.

Whilst the New Audiences Programme focuses on audiences, CreativePeople is about CPD at a national and cross-artform level, and the Cultural Diversity and Disability Co-orinators roles played a vital part in developing projects and supporting a network of coaches and mentors.  This report outlines some of the key evaluation findings surrounding that work.