Did you miss our recent Culture in the City event at The Society Building in London? If you did – or perhaps would just like a reminder of the discussion – an audio recording is now available on SoundCloud.

Despite the pouring rain, we had a full house and were treated to first rate discussion and lively Q&A session.

Chaired by Jerry Tate, Founder and Director here at Tate+Co, the debate commenced with the simple question “What is culture?”

As the conversation unfolded, the panel was posed a series of questions and scenarios.

• Creating, integrating and bringing culture to an area or community is a long-term project. How can we achieve this with funders who may not have a long-term view of value?
• Can creating cultural value in an area be realised quickly?
• How can cultural institutions – and culture in general – negotiate the power dynamic?
• The majority of culture ‘lives’ in the third sector, sandwiched between ‘money’ and ‘politics’. What are the best tactics for negotiating this ‘squeeze’ particularly in relation to getting a physical presence?

Thanks, once again, to our amazing speakers:

Olu Alake – CEO, The Africa Centre
Stephen Feber – Museum Director, Londoner and founder of cultural institutions within regeneration strategies
Stella Ioannou – Artistic Director, Sculpture in the City and Founding Director, Lacuna
Katherine McAlpine – Director,  The Brunel Museum
Nick Searl – Executive Director, Related Argent
Manijeh Verghese – Director, Sphere Spaces and CEO, Open City

And thanks to our audience for braving the weather and contributing to an excellent evening.

Photography by Fiona Finchett. Thanks Fiona!