Presentations
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Presentations
Across six thought-provoking sessions, Spark will bring together leading voices from across Warwick District’s creative sector to share ideas, showcase innovation, and explore the big issues shaping our future.
We’ll open with Shaping a Thriving Creative Future, a dynamic plenary setting the tone for the day with stories from organisations driving prosperity and place identity through creativity. From there, the programme dives into Spotlight – New Work, New Opportunities, celebrating fresh projects across arts, heritage, film, and digital technology, and offering a springboard for collaboration.
Practical know-how comes to the fore in Public Art in Practice, where the launch of Warwick District Council’s new Public Art Toolkit is paired with real-world insight from public art specialists. Later, Fundraising and Philanthropy tackles today’s toughest funding challenges, giving you tools and strategies to secure sustainable support.
Looking to the future, Creativity and AI showcases how artificial intelligence is transforming workflows and sparking bold new creative possibilities, while Audience Development – Understanding and Engaging Local Communities offers practical tools and data-driven insights to deepen connections with local people.
With a mix of inspiring presentations and lively panel discussions, this is your chance to connect with peers, discover new ideas, and take away practical tools to strengthen your work.
Explore the draft session outlines below - and register your interest in taking part in the programme.
Quick Links
- Session 1: Opening Plenary – Shaping a Thriving Creative Future
- Session 2: Fundraising and Philanthropy - Building Sustainable Support
- Session 3: Public Art in Practice - Your Guide to Making it Happen
- Session 4: Spotlight - New Work, New Opportunities
- Session 5: Creativity and AI – Tools, Trends, and New Frontiers
- Session 6: Audience Development – Understanding and Engaging Local Communities
Photo by Jo Lewis
Session 1: Opening Plenary – Shaping a Thriving Creative Future
Aim
To set the scene for the day and reinforce Spark’s purpose: to connect, collaborate, and inspire.
Who is it for?
Anyone interested in discovering how local creative organisations are making a meaningful impact on Warwick District and beyond.
Speakers:
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Description
Warwick District is home to one of the UK’s most vibrant creative clusters, where rich cultural heritage meets pioneering innovation. From heritage venues to cutting-edge digital studios, local programmes and projects are creating shared cultural experiences that reflect the dynamic character of the area.
In this hour-long opening plenary, hear directly from three leading creative organisations who are navigating a fast-changing landscape to deliver world-class products and services. Their stories will highlight how creativity is driving prosperity, shaping place identity, and reinforcing Warwick District as a destination of choice to live, work, and visit.
Be inspired, gain insight, and set the tone for a day of collaboration and discovery.
Register your interest in speaking at this session
Photo by Katt Yukawa on Unsplash
Session 2: Fundraising and Philanthropy - Building Sustainable Support
Aim
To provide insight into the current fundraising landscape and explore the role philanthropy can play in sustaining and strengthening arts and cultural organisations.
Who is it for?
People working in arts and cultural organisations or creative businesses who are responsible for fundraising, business development, or income generation, as well as anyone interested in understanding the bigger picture of how cultural projects are supported.
Speakers:
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Description
Public funding for the arts in the UK has become increasingly competitive, with national and local budgets under sustained pressure. According to the National Campaign for the Arts’ Arts Index and reports from Arts Council England, many organisations are facing reduced grants at a time when demand for their work is growing.
Against this backdrop, philanthropy and alternative fundraising models are playing a more crucial role than ever. This session will provide an overview of current trends in arts funding, explore predictions for the future, and highlight the value that individual giving, trusts and foundations, and corporate support can bring.
Through expert insight and real-world examples, you’ll gain practical knowledge of:
- The changing landscape of arts funding in the UK.
- How philanthropy can complement public funding.
- Strategies for making the case for support in a challenging climate.
- The importance of demonstrating impact, value, and social benefit to funders.
Whether you’re a seasoned fundraiser or simply curious about how organisations secure vital support, this session will provide inspiration and practical guidance on building a resilient financial future for creativity.
Register your interest in speaking at this session
Artwork by Natasha King
Session 3: Public Art in Practice - Your Guide to Making it Happen
Aim
To launch Warwick District Council’s new Public Art Toolkit and inspire those interested in shaping the local public realm through creativity.
Who is it for?
Artists, community groups, developers, and organisations keen to commission, create, or install public art in Warwick District.
Speakers:
- Johnathan Branson, Projects & Development Manager (Arts), Warwick District Council
- Tim Robottom, Brink / Mercia Murals
Description
Public art has the power to transform our shared spaces, telling stories, celebrating heritage, sparking conversation, and creating a sense of belonging. Warwick District Council has published its first Public Art Toolkit, a practical and accessible guide designed to help anyone bring creativity into the public realm.
The toolkit provides step-by-step advice on everything from permissions and funding to sustainability and community engagement. Crucially, it underlines the Council’s role as an enabler, supporting creativity to flourish rather than controlling it, and reinforces a wider commitment to creative placemaking across the district.
In this session, hear from the toolkit’s author, Johnathan Branson, Projects & Development Manager (Arts), who will explain why it was developed and how it can be used. You’ll also have the chance to put questions to local artists experienced in delivering public art projects and explore how the toolkit can empower your own creative ambitions.
Photo by Estevão Teixeira on Unsplash
Session 4: Spotlight - New Work, New Opportunities
Aim
To showcase and celebrate new arts and cultural initiatives taking shape across the district.
Who is it for?
Anyone eager to hear first-hand about exciting new projects in arts, heritage, film, technology, and community creativity, and those looking for opportunities to collaborate.
Speakers:
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Description
Warwick District’s creative scene never stands still. From grassroots community projects to ambitious cross-sector collaborations, a wave of new initiatives is emerging that will shape the cultural life of our towns in the months and years ahead.
This session is your chance to be among the first to discover what’s coming next. Hear directly from local artists, organisations, and innovators as they share news of projects in development or about to launch, spanning everything from cutting-edge digital work to heritage storytelling, film, and place-based creative programmes.
Designed to inspire and connect, this showcase is also a springboard for collaboration. Come along to find potential partners, uncover opportunities to get involved, and celebrate the energy and ambition driving Warwick District’s creative future.
Register your interest in speaking at this session
Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash
Session 5: Creativity and AI – Tools, Trends, and New Frontiers
Aim
To explore how artificial intelligence is being used across the creative sector – from streamlining everyday tasks to unlocking new artistic possibilities.
Who is it for?
Creative professionals, cultural organisations, businesses, and anyone curious about how AI is shaping both the practice and business of creativity.
Speakers:
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Description
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept – it’s already embedded in many of the tools we use every day. From office software that boosts efficiency, to design platforms that speed up workflows, AI is quietly transforming how creative work is planned and delivered. But beyond efficiency, AI is also becoming part of the creative process itself – inspiring new forms of artistic expression and opening up surprising opportunities.
In this session, you’ll hear from artists, designers, and creative businesses who are experimenting with AI in bold and imaginative ways. They’ll share first-hand examples of how AI is being used as a collaborator, an idea-generator, and even a medium in its own right.
Join us to:
- Discover how AI is embedded in the tools creatives already use.
- Explore how it’s improving efficiency and freeing up more time for creativity.
- Be inspired by surprising, innovative examples of AI-driven creative projects.
- Reflect on the opportunities – and challenges – AI presents for the future of the sector.
Whether you’re an early adopter or a curious newcomer, this session will provide insight, inspiration, and practical takeaways on the role AI can play in the creative industries
Register your interest in speaking at this session
Photo by Magnus Lunay on Unsplash
Session 6: Audience Development – Understanding and Engaging Local Communities
Aim
To share knowledge, insight, and practical tools that help cultural organisations attract, understand, and engage audiences from across Warwick District.
Who is it for?
Anyone with responsibility for marketing, communications, or audience development, as well as those curious about how to build deeper connections with local people.
Speakers:
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Description
Audiences are at the heart of every cultural experience. Understanding who they are, where they’re based, and what motivates them to engage with arts and culture is crucial for any organisation aiming to grow ticket sales, boost attendance, and build long-term loyalty.
This session will shine a spotlight on Warwick District’s audiences within a 30-minute drive time, offering valuable data and insights into local demographics, behaviours, and interests. You’ll also be introduced to tried-and-tested tools, frameworks, and techniques to help you shape your marketing and audience development strategies.
Through a mix of local evidence and practical guidance, this session will help you to:
- Identify and understand your potential audiences.
- Explore what motivates people to attend cultural events.
- Tailor your marketing activity to reach and engage communities more effectively.
- Strengthen relationships with existing audiences while welcoming new ones.
Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or simply interested in how organisations connect with communities, this session will give you a clearer picture of Warwick District’s audiences, and the confidence to reach them in meaningful ways.