Dr Graeme Fancourt’s Post

Now is the time to honor one of the many great volunteers or team members! The Enhancing Elgin Committee is seeking nominations by Oct. 4 to honor individuals, projects, and organizations that have made remarkable contributions to the Elgin community through their time, actions, talents, and unwavering dedication. 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫: Individuals who have significantly improved Elgin's image through their professional achievements... 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞: Exceptional individuals whose volunteer efforts have had a profound impact on Elgin's image... 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬: Specific community projects that have positively influenced Elgin's image, showcasing innovation, creativity, and positive change. 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐬: Outstanding organizations or businesses that have contributed significantly to enhancing Elgin's image... 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞/𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫: businesses or initiatives that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to environmental sustainability... 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐄𝐈 𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲: Individuals, projects, or organizations that have shown outstanding dedication to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭: Inspiring youth-led service projects by individuals aged 21 and under, showcasing the potential of young minds in shaping a better future. Find the nomination form here: https://lnkd.in/gV3X4VJP #ElginImageAwards #exploreelgin #enjoyillinois #volunteers

Angel City Football Club is raising the bar for women’s soccer with the unveiling of its state-of-the-art performance center at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. As the largest and most modern facility in NWSL history, the 9-acre base—originally developed by the Rams—features: 🏋️♀️ A 5,400-sq-ft gym ⚽ One full soccer pitch + half field 🎥 Film room for game analysis 🩺 Medical treatment & hydrotherapy areas 👶 A children’s playroom to support athlete families Sporting Director Mark Parsons highlighted the facility’s potential to attract top talent, saying it will be a game-changer for recruitment. (via Los Angeles Times)

Interesting article by William Chamberlain around working in a place making context and our relationship with communities - whilst London has a very different context to the regions there is always principles that remain at heart of creativity and culture in the heart of our villages , towns and cities - worth a read 👇🏽👇🏽

Today's thought centers on community bonds, particularly in cities like Phoenix, which recently lost its professional hockey team. Similar stories resonate in places like Atlanta, Cleveland, Hartford, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Montreal, Oakland, St. Louis, San Diego, Seattle, Vancouver, and Winnipeg, where professional sports teams have relocated in recent memory. Instead of delving into economic or political discourse, consider this: communal events such as arts, culture, and sports play a crucial role in uniting communities. Whether it's the loss of a sports franchise or the closure of an esteemed institution like the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, these events represent not just cultural and economic setbacks, but also profound losses on a political level for entire communities. In the past, arts, culture, and sports were viewed as civic treasures. Today, they are sometimes perceived as mere "special interests". Therefore, when criticisms arise about "civic investment that might benefit private ownership", it's essential to recognize the broader implications of such viewpoints. While economists may quantify tangible impacts, the loss of these intangible "community assets" is immeasurable. Whether you've attended ballet or opera, or felt the exhilaration of a stadium crowd, their absence diminishes not only personal experiences but also the fabric of neighborhoods and communities.

Making London More Active! The Young Foundation and London Sport are teaming up in Barking and Dagenham, Tower Hamlets, Lambeth, and Southwark to explore how communities access sports and physical activities. Their goal is to tackle inequalities and find ways to support Londoners in living more active lives, aligning with London Sport's mission to make London the most active city in the world. They’re hosting creative workshops to capture lived experiences and need residents and community leaders to participate. No prior experience in sports or physical activity is necessary. Open Call for Residents: Workshops run from September 16th to October 4th. Participants will be paid £20 for a 90-minute session. Open to residents aged 16+ from Tower Hamlets, Barking and Dagenham, Lambeth, or Southwark, specifically seeking those from Bangladeshi, Black Caribbean, Black African, or White British backgrounds. Open Call for Community Leaders: Eligible leaders will receive £80 for up to 6 hours (2 workshops and a final presentation event). Must meet the eligibility criteria above. Please share this opportunity with anyone who fits the criteria. See poster for more details. Jem Hai

🌟 Invoking Conversations on Privilege 🌟 At The Rock Cheltenham, we believe in nurturing not just the talents, but also the empathy and awareness of our young members. Last week, during our evening groups, we delved into a crucial discussion on privilege. We orchestrated an eye-opening activity where our youths stood in a line, taking steps forward or backwards based on statements reflecting positive or negative privileges they have experienced. It was a powerful visual representation of the varying advantages and disadvantages individuals face from the outset. Once the young people could see where everyone was stood they noticed that some people were standing in front and some behind. Showing that everyone had a different start in life depending on their privilege. The activity aimed not only to raise awareness but also to instil a deeper understanding of the disparities in privilege that exist within our society. By seeing firsthand how privilege can shape one's starting point in life, our participants gained valuable insights into the complexities of social dynamics. Through initiatives like this, we strive to foster empathy, critical thinking, and a sense of social responsibility in our young members. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable future for all. #YouthEmpowerment #SocialAwareness #InclusionMatters #TheRockCheltenham #CommunityEngagement

I’ve been catching up and refreshing my knowledge of some of the current research and reports about the creative and heritage sectors, and the North East picture is an interesting one… 🎨         Although employment in the creative industries in the North East grew in the years up to 2019, we had the sharpest decline during COVID-19. And we’re the region of the UK with the lowest total creative industries employment (Creative PEC, Geographies of Creativity report: https://lnkd.in/ew9RyWUA) 🖼️         Department for Culture, Media and Sport recognise two creative clusters in the North East. Newcastle is a ‘Creative Challenger’ – a ‘diverse ecosystem with some high-growth firms’ and Middlesbrough and Stockton are a ‘Incipient Cluster’, which are ‘younger and less stable’. DCMS recognise that both of these types of clusters struggle with finance. (DCMS, https://lnkd.in/e-QXwAYK) 📚         The North East is the region with the lowest number of people and the lowest % share enrolling in creative subjects in further education (Creative PEC, https://lnkd.in/eJwS-uRc) 🏰         In 2023, Historic England said that 5 At Risk heritage sites had been saved (yay!) but 13 new places had been added to their Register (Historic England https://lnkd.in/e3MX7ZPJ) ✍️         Assessing the challenges regionally, the Community Foundation have called for philanthropic support in the North East for grassroots cultural activity, creative talent pathways, and prioritising places and communities who have fewer cultural opportunities (Community Foundation: https://lnkd.in/exaE7wtf) 🏥         The National Centre for Creative Health (NCCH) has recommended that The North East Combined Authority (and other Mayoral authorities) should support creative health initiatives ‘to improve health, wellbeing and economic prosperity for their populations (Creative Health Review, https://lnkd.in/ewUJqvZ9) 🎶         Exploring the impact of arts programmes in criminal justice settings with a group of arts organisations including North East-based Helix Arts and Open Clasp Theatre Company, the Inspiring Futures project found this contributed to participants’ creative skills development, wellbeing, self-concept, and personal development, as well as staff wellbeing and prisoner-staff relationships. (National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance, https://lnkd.in/e_KAegUV)         There are probably other reports with insights into the North East’s creative sector that I haven’t come across yet, so let me know any suggestions! 📷 From 'Mali Morris: Returning' at the Hatton. #arts #culture #heritage #creativeindustries #furthereducation 

Great resource felt inspired to share by Rachel Pattinson and to also add a couple to her collection below : 1. Creative Industries Council – “Create Together” Report (2022): This report set out a national vision but also highlighted regional disparities in creative industries investment and job creation, with a focus on areas like the North East. It emphasized the need for targeted regional support, echoing many of the points in the Creative PEC’s findings. 2. Centre for Cities - *“Cities Outlook” (2023): This report examines the economic health of UK cities, including Newcastle, with a focus on post-pandemic recovery. It provides data on job market trends and economic resilience, relevant for understanding the North East’s positioning in the creative sector after COVID-19. 3. Historic England – *“Heritage and the Economy” Reports (Annual): These annual reports look at the economic impact of the heritage sector, which often overlaps with creative industries. The reports underscore the importance of heritage in regional economies, particularly in areas like the North East where heritage tourism plays a significant role. 4. Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Report on Creative Economy: Various LEPs, including the North East LEP, have published strategy and insights reports in recent years, outlining investment opportunities and strategies for supporting creative sector growth. These reports often provide region-specific data and priorities for local creative industries development. 5. Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Creative PEC) - *“The Creative Industries in the UK Regions” (2021): This report provides insights into regional trends in creative sector employment and investment, with comparisons across the UK. It highlights the North East’s challenges in terms of finance and workforce development while noting the potential for growth if supported by targeted policies. 6. AHRC’s *“The Creative Role of Arts and Humanities in Regional Economies” (2020): Commissioned by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, this report provides analysis on how arts and humanities contribute to regional economies, focusing on the North of England and noting areas like Newcastle as emerging creative hubs despite funding and employment challenges. Good luck to Antonia Liguori who is the fabulous Teesside PI leading the team from the reginal 5 universities creative clusters bid to the AHRC for developing creatuve /digital screen based industries…funding outcome is this month 🤞🏻

The 10 Amendments to the British way of life: Number 5 -  PRIORITIZING THE MAJORITY: Ensure that the needs and rights of the majority are prioritized, while still safeguarding fundamental human rights for all. VALUING THE OVER-50S:  Recognize and utilize the experience and contributions of those over 50 in shaping society and the economy. ENHANCING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Foster a sense of community and encourage active participation in local and national initiatives.

I was going to post about the amazing sports celebrations over this weekend. The work of the Migration Museum in showing what the England squad would look like if we didn’t have immigration was a particularly opportune moment to highlight what diversity brings to our country (still having to justify a benefit, but okay). Then I saw the comments from some in response to the work of the Migration Museum, and I was plundered into despair. That people still have such racist views and ideologies, that they openly share, and I just have to…move on. “Don’t let them get to you” “They don’t know what they’re talking about…ignorant. Not worth a second thought”. It’s not always easy to put the hate that you see and read aside. I’d love to. And sometimes I manage it better. But not always. Saturday was one of those days. I took my kids to the Tate on Sunday and the picture below is of us enjoying Anthony McCall’s exhibition, “Solid Light”. There were so many emotions I felt when I saw them happily and joyfully enjoying light in a dark room. A longing for that joy to remain with them forever, worrying that they were being too loud so doing that shushing thing us Brits do, but also some hope. There will always be people that want to destroy what you have, divide…and it’s hard to always be strong in the face of that. And quite frankly, you shouldn’t always have to be the strong one. So reach out to your loved ones. Your friends. Your colleagues. Your employee networks. Don’t go through it alone. I want the SoMo network at Allianz to be a place for people to reach out to when they need support. It’s one of the three objectives I see for the network and this high and low I experienced over the weekend has made me even more determined to ensure we are there for our colleagues through their highs and lows. ✌🏽 #diversity #equity #inclusion #hope #icanrolemodel #support