The Impact of Culture in the City

Join us for a forward-looking event exploring the power of arts and culture to shape the future of Northern Ireland's towns and cities.
About this Event

Bringing together business leaders, policymakers, developers, local authorities, cultural practitioners, academics, community organisations and tourism stakeholders, this event will explore how arts and culture can drive meaningful change in our urban environments.

As our towns and cities face growing social, economic and environmental challenges, understanding the role of culture as a catalyst for placemaking has never been more important. From public art and creative programming to heritage, music, storytelling and cultural experiences, culture transforms spaces into places, where people want to live, learn, work, visit and invest.

Through expert insights, discussion and shared experience, the event will examine the strategic value of culture in urban placemaking, regeneration and economic renewal. We will explore how investment in creativity can contribute to vibrant, resilient and people-centred places. We will delve into how cities can turn a cultural moment into a lasting asset, and bring the right partners to the table to create effective cross-sector partnerships. Together, these partnerships can unlock culture’s full potential to shape the future of Northern Ireland’s towns and cities.

This event is delivered in partnership with Ulster University Business School, Cathedral Quarter BID, Belfast City Council and Belfast One BID.

Agenda
Keynote: Tim Jones, Founder-Director, TJ Culture

Info: Tim Jones is a cultural strategist and broker with over 20 years’ experience connecting the commercial, cultural and civic sectors in the UK and internationally. He'll be discussing the strategic role of cultural placemaking across regeneration, commercial investment, and civic identity.

Damien Martin, Strategic Director of Place and Economy, Belfast City Council

Info: Damien is responsible for driving the city’s future growth and regeneration; creating a sustainable, attractive, unique, and dynamic place to live, work, study, visit and invest.

Panel Discussion: Culture as a Catalyst - the BIDs perspective

Info: Explore the role that culture plays in creating places where people want to live, work, visit and invest. Host Charlotte Dryden Oh Yeah - Damien Corr Manager Cathedral Quarter BID, Martina Connolly CEO Belfast One BID & Mags White Director Imagine Festival

Dónal O’Connor, Director, Belfast Tradfest

Info: How a partnership with Ulster University is using the power of traditional arts to drive social and economic development, while helping TradFest to realise it’s ambition to position Belfast as a global hub for traditional music and culture.

Panel Discussion: Why Culture is Key to Thriving Cities

Info: Considering how investment in cultural experiences and infrastructure can help shape the identity and future of a thriving city. Host: Deborah Collins Visit Belfast - Joe O’Neill CEO Belfast Harbour, Gemma Thompson Communications, Brand and Stakeholder Engagement Manager for Translink, Chris McCreery, Artistic Director and CEO Belfast International Arts Festival.