The first episode of Reflecting Value explores the ways in which the cultural sector is conveying its value to the health and social care sector.

What barriers to access are we creating when we bring culture, health and research together? And how do we enable a diverse range of people to fully participate in cultural programmes designed to address health and wellbeing needs?

Which audiences are ready to return?  This report from The Audience Agency shares findings from a nationwide survey, the Cultural Participation Monitor. It is part of a wider national research programme that is building a robust and in-depth picture of the impacts of Covid-19 on the UK’s cultural sector.

What happened to freelancers in 2020? Covid-19 and the creative economy In part 3 of our ‘impact of Covid-19 on jobs in the cultural sector’ series, this article written in March 2021 analyses data from the Labour Force Survey from the Office for National Statistics. It looks at the impact of the pandemic on freelancers ... Read more

There are growing examples of cultural organisations and practitioners working with healthcare students (including medical, nursing, midwifery, dental students) to help them develop their practice beyond core clinical skills. In this research digest, we assess the evidence for the value of culture in the training and development of healthcare students. The digest reviews and summarises ... Read more

How are the public engaging in digital creative and cultural activities during the pandemic?

What are the national and regional differences, and the differences between demographic groups? This article written in February 2021 shares findings from a national research programme that is building an in-depth picture of the impacts of Covid-19 on the UK’s cultural sector. This piece looks at the impacts of the pandemic on employment in the ... Read more

Are there issues or challenges you face as an organisation? Are you or do you aspire to be a learning organisation? Could research help you develop a better understanding of the cultural value of your work? If you answer yes to any of these, this guide will help you develop the research questions that structure ... Read more

With a growing belief that there is an important role for the arts and culture in supporting people’s health and wellbeing, the Centre for Cultural Value has published a research digest, summarising the evidence surrounding culture on referral and arts on prescription programmes. This online discussion session shares the findings, and opens up the conversation ... Read more

This article written in January 2021 shares findings from a national research programme that is building a robust and in-depth picture of the impacts of Covid-19 on the UK’s cultural sector. Our initial case study interviews are offering a number of in-depth insights into cultural workers’ experiences during the pandemic and this article brings together ... Read more

This report from The Audience Agency shares findings from a nationwide survey on the public’s views about participating in creative and cultural activities through the pandemic. It is part of a wider national research programme that is building a robust and in-depth picture of the impacts of Covid-19 on the UK’s cultural sector.

This article written in December 2020 shares findings from a national research programme that is building a robust and in-depth picture of the impacts of Covid-19 on the UK’s cultural sector. It looks at the impacts of the pandemic on employment in the cultural sector by analysing labour force data from the Office of National ... Read more

In this series of learning case studies, cultural practitioners share their reflections and learning honestly, so others can learn from and build on their experience. In this example, Tim Joss from Aesop shares learning from the Dance to Health programme and the role research and evaluation played in the programme itself and the learning it ... Read more

This policy review looks at social security support for cultural practitioners and how effective these schemes were during the Covid-19 pandemic. The review covers Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and the United Kingdom and outlines different national approaches, emerging evidence and the need for further research in this area.

This policy review looks at governmental cultural policy responses to the Covid-19 pandemic across the UK and reflects on how these measures might shape the future of the cultural sector.

When we think about audience research, are we hoping to engage people who are new to the arts, deepen the experience of those who already attend, or demonstrate the cultural value of live arts events? Stephanie Pitts shares four recommended reads to help deepen your understanding of audiences and audience research.

Are you interested in working with academics to create new knowledge and amplify understanding? This guide by Culture Forum North helps you consider the potential benefits of research partnerships with academics and suggests how to initiate and develop these relationships.      

Have you ever wanted to do research but didn’t have either the resources or expertise to do it alone? If the answer is yes, this guide might be what you’re looking for.

What is cultural democracy and how have ideas about cultural democracy – from the radical to the pragmatic – influenced policy and practise? David Stevenson shares seven recommended reads on cultural democracy and challenges you to think about how cultural participation is understood and supported in the UK.    

How are different countries around the world responding to the impact of Covid-19 on the cultural sector? Hear about different policy interventions to Covid-19 and explore how cultural policy might be reshaped and reimagined in the future.