South East Creative Economy Network (SECEN) Wednesday 27th January 2021, 10:30am Virtual meeting – video conference via Zoom MINUTES

Attendees: Rachel Brown, Space Studios London Richard Holdsworth, Chatham Historic Dockyard Katharine Stout, Focal Point Gallery (Co-Chair) (KS) Sam Hawkins, CCSkills Joe Hill, Towner Gallery Eastbourne (Co-Chair) (JH) Sarah Walters, Things Made Public Sarah Dance, Sarah Dance Associates (Co-Chair) (SD) Shane Forster, University of Kent Alastair Upton, Creative Foundation Sharon Phillips, GFE South Alex Riley, SELEP Stephen Taylor, Council Alison Dewey, Southend Borough Council Stewart Drew, De La Warr Pavilion Andrea Cunningham, Metal Susan Oliver, University of (SO) Anita Tysoe, Gravesham Borough Council Sujun Fieldhouse, Southend Borough Council Beatrice Prosser-Snelling, Artswork SE Bridge (BPS) Victoria Pomery, Turner Contemporary (VP) Brian Warrens, The Backstage Centre (BW) Victoria Barrow Williams, People Dem Collective (VBW) Catherine Richardson, University of Kent (CR)

Dawn Badland, Applause Apologies: Deborah Shaw, Marlowe Theatre (DS) Dee O’Rourke, Alison Fogg, Colchester BC/Colchester Amphora Imogen Robertson, City of Culture 2025 Bid Anne Knight, Jane Brooke, Space Coworking, Rye Collette Bailey, Metal Jane Kilby, Wealden District Council David Sefton, University of Kent Jo Nolan, Screen South Emma Lindsell, Southend Borough Council Jo Simmons, SELEP (JS) Emma Wilcox, Creative Estuary Jon Linstrum, Arts Council England (JL) Jillian Barker, Royal Opera House Judith Alder, Eastbourne Cultural Group Keith Grimley, Gravesham Borough Council Julia Payne, The Hub, Colchester (JP) Lorna Fox O’Mahoney, University of Essex Katie McGown, Canterbury Christ Church University Lorraine Cox, Southend Borough Council Lisa Ricketts, Thurrock Council/SECCADS (LR) Michael Tymkiw, University of Essex Lorraine Smith, Folkestone & Hythe District Council Oliver Goodhall, We Made That Louise Aitken, SELEP (LA) Peter Bolton, Kent Music Marc De’ath, Chelmsford City Council Rebecca Hughes, Chelmsford Cultural Development Trust Matthew Brown, Colchester BC/ Colchester Amphora Rob West, CCSkills Melanie Powell, Rother District Council Sally Shaw, Firstsite Gallery Megan Saunders, Jasmin Vardimon (MS) Sally Staples, East Sussex County Council Natalie Parsons, University of Kent Steve Mannix, Mercury Theatre Paul Cowell, Medway Council (PC) Tilly Hogrebe, Acava

1. Introduction and apologies KS thanked attendees for joining the meeting.

2. Review of previous minutes/actions The previous minutes were agreed as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

3. Ongoing impact of Covid-19: open feedback session Attendees were invited to share feedback on the ongoing impact of the pandemic on the creative and cultural sector: KS stated that at Focal Point Gallery there was direct staff impact due to Covid-19 and that the intention was to reopen in March 2021 but now this is likely to be later on in the year. Long-term, Southend has had a major capital project likely cancelled due to the pandemic impact. The organisation itself is thinking about balancing the local offer and serving the visitor economy. BPS noted that the biggest concern was around creative careers work at schools, not wanted to add to ongoing pressures that the education sector is already going through. There is also a focus on teenage mental health.

Page 1 of 4 DS noted that theatres had been hoping for a Spring opening which has now disappeared as a possibility, it is more likely that July will be when theatres will look to get back up and running. There is going to be a focus on supporting young people. Also noting that the first round of cultural recovery fund has extended the period that the money needs to be spent. VP informed the group that the Turner Contemporary focus has been digital transformation and how this is used and integrated into the visitor experience going forward. There is also a focus on external projects such as England’s Creative Coast and Pioneering Places. Also noted there is ongoing lobbying on the exhibition tax relief scheme. BW stated that the current projects planned for filming outstrip the studio supply that exists in the UK, as such preparations are taking place to ensure studios can meet demand. There has been growth in on-ground production team adaptation e.g. incorporating remote control of equipment, and a growth in content made for streaming. There was also a concern about a continuous cycle or rescheduling. VBW advised that her group has been able to focus on strategic planning due to the pandemic as well as understanding the increase in focus and organisation on combatting racial disparities and ensuring positive momentum on addressing this issue continues. CR stated that the University of Kent has been taking on board learning from everything going online as well as taking work online that would usually take place in venues e.g. music. Work with young people is taking place online and has been quite successful. LR noted that there have been over eighty requests from businesses for project changes given the impact of the pandemic. There have also been seventeen organisations that have withdrawn as they cannot continue with planned spend, as well as a number of offers that have had to be withdrawn. SO informed the group of a project being undertaken by East 15 on the impact of Covid-19 on independent arts workers. The survey is available here: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FV011103%2F1 JP informed the group of another survey on the impacts of Covid-19, particularly on our mental health, available here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/8P3TJYK.

4. What more can we do to create a more inclusive sector and network? PC noted the importance of diversity and inclusion to ensure a truly thriving creative sector, building a more diverse sector, and celebrating diversity within the sector. There were a couple of questions that the group were asked. VP stated that Turner Contemporary had an audit around issues of diversity and inclusion that was particularly helpful. A finished report was shared with the Board who committed to addressing issues related to diversity and inclusion. Some of the co-curatorial models and commissions have also focussed on this area. Also, on governance, ensuring that the Board remains diverse and any further recruitment has this as a focus. There has also been a focus on mission and values – with a new value of belonging. MS noted that there have been a number of projects focusing on inclusion and diversity – such as working with SEN schools. It was also noted there was an important learning point around reaching out to experts and organisations, recognising we won’t have all the answers ourselves, to ensure programme of work continues to emphasise diversity and inclusion on stage and within the organisation. VBW stated it was encouraging that these conversations were taking place and noting the importance of creating a safe arena to collaborate and have discussions so a real change can be made. Some important findings have been gleaned by creating a model to understand commissioning and decision making and how this takes place. As well as gaining a better understanding of representation from different communities across sectors. SD informed the group that even from a SELEP perspective there has been a recognition about the importance of inclusivity and diversity. Noting that this is just the beginning and this will be a process moving forward. Action: SECEN members interested in volunteering to be part of a working group to progress our commitment to diversity and inclusion within the sector and the network should contact Paul Cowell or any of the Co-chairs.

Page 2 of 4 5. Covid-19 recovery funding opportunities SELEP Skills and Business Support JS updated the group on the deployment of the new Covid-19 recovery funds focussed on Skills and Business Support. The Business Support fund has £2.4m available and the Skills fund £2m available. There has been an open tender process to procure specific providers to deploy the funds. The invitation to tender went live on 6th January 2021, closing 5th February 2021. An evaluation will take place in February with the aim to award the contract and start delivery of funding in March 2021. The Business Support fund has been split into three envelopes to support start-ups and pre-starts, digitising businesses, and the visitor economy. The Skills fund has been split into three envelopes which are retraining for key sectors, retraining for digital roles, digital skills for all including kit and connectivity. LA also noted there will be a package on innovative solutions to skills barriers. It was also noted that the SELEP Skills Advisory Panel, in collaboration with the Digital Skills Partnership, have made all information available on the South East Skills website. It was also noted that a Skills Report for the South East is being produced – noting the importance of creative as a key sector – and any information that could be reflected in this report would be welcome. ACE Covid-19 Recovery Funds JL updated the group that the second round of the cultural recovery fund recently closed and was oversubscribed, as previous rounds were. There is an expectation that the success rate is potentially less than the previous round. It was noted that the funding environment is difficult, but a positive is that Treasury funding and Lottery funding is healthy. But there are significantly more individuals seeking funding through those channels. JL informed the group of the developing your creative practice fund and urged individual practitioners to apply to that – it is a fund which comes out quarterly and is designed for individuals to apply for up to £10,000 to develop your practice. It is not about delivering a project to the public but developing your own ability.

6. Workstream and project updates Creative Workspace SD updated the group that consultants have been appointed and are presenting their proposals to the Steering Group including ideas around a cultural infrastructure map, creative opportunity zones, workspace masterplan structure, and the criteria for workspace projects to be selected for business support and advice. The options will be considered in a month – with a series of challenge groups set up to provide a check and balance to the Steering Group and consultants delivering the project. This group will be updated on the proposals and plans at the next SECEN meeting. Prospectus KS updated the group that a design and final agreed narrative is almost finalised. The intention is that this will be brought to the group at the next SECEN meeting and taken to the SELEP Federated Boards. South East Creatives LR informed the group that the programme is working within the six-month delivery extension and continuing to provide support in grants with at least another round of funding available at the beginning of February 2021 and potentially more money released that was unable to be spent. In terms of the workshops and mentoring programme, this was adjusted for fully online and 120 organisations were supported. Delivery has continued through workshops with events advertised on the South East Creatives website. Digital support will continue through to April/May 2021, with project delivery end date in June 2021. Activity will most likely stop in May so activity can be spent and claimed.

Page 3 of 4 England’s Creative Coast SD updated the group that there is a planned launch of artworks in May 2021 and looking towards how the programme is part of economic recovery in the coastal region – such as being a tourist in your own town. Catalyst for Culture SSF Project DS noted that the initial contractual pieces have now been received for the project. There is ongoing work on whether the programme to be delivered can be extended and rescheduled to consider the additional lockdown. The first project has been undertaken which was filming a pantomime and putting this out to the local community such as care homes. The response to this work was extremely positive and between 22nd December and 3rd January this was released to 91 care homes across Kent and Medway. It was viewed by over 91,000 people including internationally. DS encouraged any of those with questions about live recording and ticketing for these types of events to get in touch and learning points will be shared. Creative High Streets SSF Project KS noted that there is still the intention to take this forward, but this will not be submitted for consideration at the March 2021 SELEP Board Meeting, subject to available Sector Support Funding. Moving forward it is still a priority area of focus and there is the intention to be more specific about the High Streets to focus on and be pilots for this study if it were to come forward.

7. AOB Next meeting: 31st March 2021 Meeting closed.

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