Presentation from Birmingham City Council which was part of the Cultural Commissioning National Seminar in Doncaster on the 10th June 2014 Find out more about Cultural Commissioning Programme. http://www.ncvo.org.uk/practical-support/public-services/cultural-commissioning-programme

1. Cultural coCultural co--design indesign in
BirminghamBirmingham
Symon Easton / Ginnie Wollaston
BCC Culture Commissioning Service

2. Our vision is for Birmingham to beOur vision is for Birmingham to be
a continually surprising city wherea continually surprising city where
the vibrancy and diversity ofthe vibrancy and diversity of
culture inspire the people whoculture inspire the people who
live, work in and visit the city, andlive, work in and visit the city, and
bring economic success andbring economic success and
international recognition.international recognition.
Key strategic themes:Key strategic themes:
Culture on your DoorstepCulture on your Doorstep
Next GenerationNext Generation
Stronger cultural and creativeStronger cultural and creative
industriesindustries
A great international city of theA great international city of the
futurefuture
Birmingham’s Cultural Strategy
2010 - 15

3. Background / ContextBackground / Context
BCC Culture & Visitor EconomyBCC Culture & Visitor Economy
 Service restructure in 2010/11 (savings agenda)Service restructure in 2010/11 (savings agenda) ––
Changed fromChanged from ‘‘ArtsArts’’ toto ‘‘Culture CommissioningCulture Commissioning’’ ServiceService
 20122012 -- Introduction of new corporate commissioningIntroduction of new corporate commissioning
process / Grants Management Toolkitprocess / Grants Management Toolkit
 2013 moved from2013 moved from ‘‘Environment & CultureEnvironment & Culture’’ toto
‘‘Development & CultureDevelopment & Culture’’. 2014 changed to. 2014 changed to ‘‘EconomyEconomy’’
DirectorateDirectorate –– one of three Directorates.one of three Directorates.
 ‘‘Support to the ArtsSupport to the Arts’’ budget wasbudget was ££9.4m now9.4m now ££6.42m in6.42m in
20142014--15 with further reductions likely from 201515 with further reductions likely from 2015--1616
 95% of the service budget activities are commissioned95% of the service budget activities are commissioned
from third partiesfrom third parties -- ££5.95m revenue and5.95m revenue and ££350k project350k project
funding (including Festivals)funding (including Festivals)

4. Core ActivityCore Activity
Culture Commissioning
Core Business
Connecting Communities
(Cultural Pilot)
Family Friendly Kitemark,
Young People on Arts
Boards
Manage Film
Birmingham Office
and Old Rep Theatre
Core
revenue
funding
SLA’s for 10
major arts
orgs and
B’Ham
Museums
contract
Gallery 37 Foundation
Creative City
Partnership –
key driver
Advice, Guidance and
Training for local arts
organisations. IASN
Group
Public Art (Gateway
Group)
Project funding for
Birmingham based not-
for-profit arts
organisations. Up to
100 applications p/a for
£350k commissioning
pot.
Support delivery of
District Arts Plans and
facilitate Local Arts
Forum in each District.
Manage Arts
Champions and Mobile
Arts scheme
Key partners in the
Birmingham Arts
Partnership (BAP)
and Local Enterprise
Partnership (GBSLEP).
Culture Commissioning ServiceCulture Commissioning Service

5. BirminghamBirmingham’’ss
PriorityPriority
NeighbourhoodsNeighbourhoods
 10 Districts of approx.10 Districts of approx.
100,000 residents (green100,000 residents (green
boundary)boundary)
 31 Priority31 Priority
Neighbourhoods andNeighbourhoods and
ClustersClusters
 City centre culturalCity centre cultural
venuesvenues

6. BCC CommissioningBCC Commissioning
Arts Champion programmeArts Champion programme –– revenue clientsrevenue clients
1 BCC Officer looking after 11 BCC Officer looking after 1--33
Districts & 1 lead Officer for overallDistricts & 1 lead Officer for overall
programmeprogramme
Delivery across all 4 wards in eachDelivery across all 4 wards in each
DistrictDistrict
Longer term delivery encouraged inLonger term delivery encouraged in
22ndnd & 3& 3rdrd year e.g.year e.g.
Variety of venues e.g. Parks;Variety of venues e.g. Parks;
libraries; shopping centres &libraries; shopping centres &
community centres used to delivercommunity centres used to deliver
and present workand present work
Profiled events e.g. Local Arts ForumProfiled events e.g. Local Arts Forum
Festival eventsFestival events

7. Culture On Your DoorstepCulture On Your Doorstep
Local arts ForaLocal arts Fora
10 Local arts fora created 201110 Local arts fora created 2011 ––
commissioned 2014/15commissioned 2014/15
Local arts forum established & contractedLocal arts forum established & contracted
annually withannually with ££4k led by small arts4k led by small arts
organisation /individual arts coorganisation /individual arts co--ordinatorordinator
Audit of venues, contacts of communityAudit of venues, contacts of community
groups /organisations regularly updatedgroups /organisations regularly updated
4 regular public meetings to bring artists, arts4 regular public meetings to bring artists, arts
organisations and community groups togetherorganisations and community groups together
embracing whole Districtembracing whole District
Web and online presence created andWeb and online presence created and
maintained with local brandingmaintained with local branding
Arts activities funded and delivered in 2Arts activities funded and delivered in 2ndnd
&&
33rdrd
year with BCC / external fundingyear with BCC / external funding
Arts Festivals and annual events developedArts Festivals and annual events developed
e.g. Art Soak; Arts March (Northfield); ArtSmilee.g. Art Soak; Arts March (Northfield); ArtSmile
(Edgbaston);(Edgbaston);

8. Our PlaceOur Place
Neighbourhood Community Budget PilotsNeighbourhood Community Budget Pilots
 FormerlyFormerly ‘‘Total PlaceTotal Place’’. Birmingham. Birmingham
has four project themeshas four project themes –– FamiliesFamilies
with Complex Needs,with Complex Needs,
Neighbourhood Working,Neighbourhood Working,
Worklessness and, Culture.Worklessness and, Culture.
 Birmingham projects located inBirmingham projects located in
three different Wardsthree different Wards -- Shard End,Shard End,
Balsall Heath and Castle ValeBalsall Heath and Castle Vale
 Exploring Community BudgetExploring Community Budget
approachapproach –– reflected same themesreflected same themes
in each areain each area
 Culture Project working groupCulture Project working group
partnerspartners –– Local Arts Fora, ArtsLocal Arts Fora, Arts
Champions, local delivery partnersChampions, local delivery partners
e.g. resident associations, friendse.g. resident associations, friends
of parks, local venue, librariesof parks, local venue, libraries
 Funded by BCC and ACEFunded by BCC and ACE

9. Cultural pilotCultural pilot
95k from ACE/BCC over 2 years95k from ACE/BCC over 2 years
Aims for the Cultural PilotAims for the Cultural Pilot
 To research, design and pilot newTo research, design and pilot new
ways of delivering locally basedways of delivering locally based
cultural and arts activities usingcultural and arts activities using
new business modelsnew business models –– using C2using C2
methodologymethodology
 To involve and support localTo involve and support local
community groups to select acommunity groups to select a
range of cultural activities in linerange of cultural activities in line
with the agreed priorities for eachwith the agreed priorities for each
areaarea
 Pilot a range of arts activities thatPilot a range of arts activities that
maximise opportunities for artsmaximise opportunities for arts
and cultural engagement includingand cultural engagement including
the brokering of new partnershipsthe brokering of new partnerships
Project PlanProject Plan
ResearchResearch
 3 Cultural Co-ordinators to research &
consult over 3 months
December 2012 - March 2013
 Recommendations & plans for cultural
pilot activities £20k decided by panel
DeliveryDelivery
 May 2013 - February 2014
 Conference March – 2014
Evaluation
 Final report May / June 2014

10. Positively localPositively local -- C2 a model for community changeC2 a model for community change ––
John Gillespie with Susanne Hughes, University of BirminghamJohn Gillespie with Susanne Hughes, University of Birmingham
a process of neighbourhood development that supports people in da process of neighbourhood development that supports people in disadvantaged areas toisadvantaged areas to
champion their own agendas in partnership with agencieschampion their own agendas in partnership with agencies
 7 step process: given to co7 step process: given to co--ordinators for research & implementationordinators for research & implementation
 Locate energy for changeLocate energy for change (Coalition of the(Coalition of the ‘‘fed up and bravefed up and brave’’ working with theworking with the
‘‘unsung heroesunsung heroes’’))
 Locate stakeholdersLocate stakeholders from key agencies e.g. health, education, police , LAfrom key agencies e.g. health, education, police , LA
 Create a visionCreate a vision –– raise ambition, release capacityraise ambition, release capacity
 Listen to residentsListen to residents & community& community
 Formalise the partnershipFormalise the partnership –– more residents than agenciesmore residents than agencies
 Sustain momentumSustain momentum
 Take Action!Take Action!
 Review and adaptReview and adapt

11. 3 Community based budget areas3 Community based budget areas
with different needswith different needs
 Shard End a Ward of 26,000 , poor culturalShard End a Ward of 26,000 , poor cultural
infrastructure, low participation and challenges withinfrastructure, low participation and challenges with
families with complex needs and high levels offamilies with complex needs and high levels of
worklessnessworklessness
 Castle ValeCastle Vale –– a neighbourhood of 10,000 residents witha neighbourhood of 10,000 residents with
21 years of regeneration but needing new leaders to21 years of regeneration but needing new leaders to
combat isolation and poor healthcombat isolation and poor health
 Balsall HeathBalsall Heath –– a neighbourhood of 15,000 residentsa neighbourhood of 15,000 residents ––
high levels of deprivation and cultural diversity takinghigh levels of deprivation and cultural diversity taking
environmental agenda and neighbourhood planningenvironmental agenda and neighbourhood planning

12. Cultural CoCultural Co--ordinators / Intermediariesordinators / Intermediaries
 Employed 3 x Cultural CoEmployed 3 x Cultural Co--
ordinators to undertake initialordinators to undertake initial
research with residents andresearch with residents and
stakeholdersstakeholders
 Report with recommendationsReport with recommendations
made to BCC panelmade to BCC panel
 Pilot activities fundedPilot activities funded -- ££20k per20k per
areaarea
 3 x Cultural Co3 x Cultural Co--ordinatorsordinators
employed to oversee deliveryemployed to oversee delivery
 Some involved in direct projectSome involved in direct project
deliverydelivery
 New and emerging producers andNew and emerging producers and
artists took project managementartists took project management
rolesroles
 Final reports identified qualitativeFinal reports identified qualitative
& quantitative data& quantitative data
 External evaluators appointed inExternal evaluators appointed in
delivery phasedelivery phase

13. Shard EndShard End -- facts and challengesfacts and challenges
 CBB /Shard End focusCBB /Shard End focus
families with complexfamilies with complex
needs; employment &needs; employment &
worklessnessworklessness
 26,000 residents 80% majority26,000 residents 80% majority
white low income householdswhite low income households
 42% children in poverty42% children in poverty
 415 young people 18415 young people 18 –– 2424
unemployed (19% higher thanunemployed (19% higher than
city average 9.5%)city average 9.5%)
 Deprivation pattern unchanged &Deprivation pattern unchanged &
only 16% felt involved in localonly 16% felt involved in local
decisions in 2010decisions in 2010
 5 Villages5 Villages –– no central high streetno central high street
or central venueor central venue

14. Shard EndShard End –– ProjectsProjects
Projects included
Alice performance in Kingfisher Park
with community performers
 Griffin Day – restoration
• Drama with fathers & sons in
partnership with Family centre
Commission to Women & Theatre &
DiVas to research material for new
drama working with women suffering
from domestic violence

15. Balsall HeathBalsall Heath -- facts and challengesfacts and challenges
 Local population 60% Asian, 20%Local population 60% Asian, 20%
Black and 20% native WhiteBlack and 20% native White
(15,000 residents)(15,000 residents)
 45% under 25 years and45% under 25 years and
Worklessness for adults 26.5%Worklessness for adults 26.5%
compared with a city average ofcompared with a city average of
18.5%18.5%
 JSA claimant rate, at 20% wasJSA claimant rate, at 20% was
almost double the city averagealmost double the city average
 Nearly half the working ageNearly half the working age
population have no qualificationspopulation have no qualifications
 Carnival has been celebrated forCarnival has been celebrated for
over 30 yearsover 30 years
 2 parks, Community centre & Old2 parks, Community centre & Old
Print WorksPrint Works –– hub for individualhub for individual
artistsartists

16. Balsall Heath ProjectsBalsall Heath Projects
 Increased Carnival projectIncreased Carnival project
partners and participantspartners and participants
combining with Britain in Bloomcombining with Britain in Bloom
 Increased volunteers andIncreased volunteers and
community marketingcommunity marketing
 Offered four artists opportuntiy toOffered four artists opportuntiy to
respond to local initiativesrespond to local initiatives
 Increased profile of local venuesIncreased profile of local venues
and managing arts events forand managing arts events for
specific communities e.g.specific communities e.g.
Somalian and PakistaniSomalian and Pakistani

17. Castle Vale facts and challengesCastle Vale facts and challenges
 10,000 residents aging population10,000 residents aging population
on large residential estateon large residential estate
 Regeneration project 21 years agoRegeneration project 21 years ago
–– revitalised housing stockrevitalised housing stock
 Poor health associated withPoor health associated with
lifestyles and high levels of poorlifestyles and high levels of poor
mental healthmental health
 High levels of unemploymentHigh levels of unemployment
 Castle Vale Festival bringing allCastle Vale Festival bringing all
agesages together celebrating 21together celebrating 21 yearsyears
of regenerationof regeneration
 Active Arts run by residents toActive Arts run by residents to
develop and deliver arts on thedevelop and deliver arts on the
estateestate

18. Castle Vale ProjectsCastle Vale Projects
 Castle Vale Festival was createdCastle Vale Festival was created
with 20 x resident Steering Groupwith 20 x resident Steering Group
and a local school to programme 3and a local school to programme 3
day Festivalday Festival
 Opening ceremony led byOpening ceremony led by
professional artists working withprofessional artists working with
300 x intergenerational300 x intergenerational
performersperformers
 Young people programmedYoung people programmed
musical linemusical line--upup
 GP arts prescription project toGP arts prescription project to
address long term conditionsaddress long term conditions

19. Summary of outcomes evaluationSummary of outcomes evaluation
Outcome 1: Increased levels of local resident participation in aOutcome 1: Increased levels of local resident participation in arts andrts and
cultural activitycultural activity
The evidence indicates that the Cultural Pilots have been succesThe evidence indicates that the Cultural Pilots have been successful in introducingsful in introducing
arts and cultural activity to people for the first time and thatarts and cultural activity to people for the first time and that participation hasparticipation has
increased in each of the three areas, to differing extents e.g.increased in each of the three areas, to differing extents e.g.
••Outdoor eventsOutdoor events
••Intergenerational planning and performanceIntergenerational planning and performance
••Mixing art with environmental festival (Britain in Bloom)Mixing art with environmental festival (Britain in Bloom)
Outcome 2: Residents involved in coOutcome 2: Residents involved in co--design and production of local artsdesign and production of local arts
and cultural activityand cultural activity
The involvement of residents in the coThe involvement of residents in the co--design and production of activity could bedesign and production of activity could be
considered a challenging outcome to achieve for a programme desiconsidered a challenging outcome to achieve for a programme designed as agned as a
primary intervention to engage nonprimary intervention to engage non--participants in arts and culture e.g.participants in arts and culture e.g.
••Residents coResidents co--produced events (Castle Vale Festival)produced events (Castle Vale Festival)
••Resident Associations led and managed project (Griffins)Resident Associations led and managed project (Griffins)
••Residents coResidents co--designed artists brief (GP arts prescription project)designed artists brief (GP arts prescription project)
••Local artists as residents deliver activity in their neighbourhoLocal artists as residents deliver activity in their neighbourhoodsods

20. Summary of outcomes evaluationSummary of outcomes evaluation
Outcome 3: Local infrastructure for arts and culture strengtheneOutcome 3: Local infrastructure for arts and culture strengthenedd
••Local arts fora and local partners worked together to create andLocal arts fora and local partners worked together to create and deliverdeliver
eventsevents
••Residents gained skills, knowledge and experience to manage andResidents gained skills, knowledge and experience to manage and promotepromote
eventsevents
••Arts activities promoted local neighbourhoods to new audiencesArts activities promoted local neighbourhoods to new audiences
••Arts organisations worked with new partners from parks, librarieArts organisations worked with new partners from parks, libraries, healths, health
and educationand education
Outcome 4: Capacity of local residents to engage in local activiOutcome 4: Capacity of local residents to engage in local activitiesties
developeddeveloped
••Some residents developed skills and confidence in first time engSome residents developed skills and confidence in first time engagementagement
••Some residents increased and expanded range of experienceSome residents increased and expanded range of experience
••Some specific event management training provided with accreditatSome specific event management training provided with accreditationion
••Local residents engaged in decision to commission professional aLocal residents engaged in decision to commission professional artistsrtists

21. Summary of outcomes evaluationSummary of outcomes evaluation
Additional outcomes:Additional outcomes:
••Usefulness of common evaluation methodology andUsefulness of common evaluation methodology and
frameworkframework
••Vital use of coVital use of co--ordinators with local knowledgeordinators with local knowledge
••New crossNew cross--sector partnershipssector partnerships
••Increased profile through use of social mediaIncreased profile through use of social media
••Activities contributed towards wider health & wellbeingActivities contributed towards wider health & wellbeing
agendas and social cohesionagendas and social cohesion
••Success of project has led to new investmentSuccess of project has led to new investment

22. Lessons Learnt / ChallengesLessons Learnt / Challenges
 Timescales matter and cannot be underTimescales matter and cannot be under--estimated in areas with lowestimated in areas with low
levels of participation and engagementlevels of participation and engagement
 Non traditional outdoor spaces create challenges e.g. lack ofNon traditional outdoor spaces create challenges e.g. lack of
resources in parks. Also weather dependent!resources in parks. Also weather dependent!
 Expectations of funders and residents needs to be managed e.g.Expectations of funders and residents needs to be managed e.g.
decisions to fund certain activitydecisions to fund certain activity
 Cultural barriers can be overcome by clustering arts events withCultural barriers can be overcome by clustering arts events with
other events e.g. Carnival with Britain in Bloomother events e.g. Carnival with Britain in Bloom
 Need to invest in Leadership & creative skills at a local levelNeed to invest in Leadership & creative skills at a local level to buildto build
trust and engagementtrust and engagement
 Cross sector partnerships take time!Cross sector partnerships take time!
 Cultural pilots haveCultural pilots have ……..made a difference and can be sustained..made a difference and can be sustained

23. Connecting Communities ProgrammeConnecting Communities Programme --
The next phaseThe next phase
 Further funding secured from DCLG and ACE (Further funding secured from DCLG and ACE (££40k from each over40k from each over
two years)two years)
 Birmingham one of five cities nominated by DCLGBirmingham one of five cities nominated by DCLG
 Specific remit from DCLG to support integrationSpecific remit from DCLG to support integration
 Programme to be rolled out over the 10 DistrictsProgramme to be rolled out over the 10 Districts -- commissionedcommissioned
through Local Arts Fora leadsthrough Local Arts Fora leads
 Two distinct research and delivery phases to reflect local diffeTwo distinct research and delivery phases to reflect local differencesrences
 Decision in JulyDecision in July –– projects in place until Feb 2015projects in place until Feb 2015
 Symposium and showcase March 2015Symposium and showcase March 2015