2 days of inspiring talks
12 and 13 February
Digital technologies are transforming the way the world operates. For creative organisations and individuals, digital tools are supporting innovation, enhancing creativity and opening up new possibilities to collaborate, share, tell stories, and express ideas and profile talent.
As artists and audiences embrace new mediums and possibilities, we explored the ways in which creativity is shaping – and being shaped by – digital tools and ask how digital tools can serve creative practices in ways that engage a variety of audiences.
Digital Culture Talks 2025 provided opportunities for thought leadership key notes and panel discussions from artists, industry leaders and academics. Day 1 of this 2-day conference highlighted and profiled the work of creative organisations, community groups and artists using digital to improve access, inclusion and empower their local communities. We also explored the opportunities and challenges of social networks and platforms.
12 February
Digital communities and online harms
Roundtable 1: Digital Accessibility, Inclusion and Community
Convening, curating and enabling – community ownership, engagement and empowerment through digital. Thinking differently about how we create digital content and challenging assumptions about what culture looks like.
Speakers and panellists:
Facilitated by Rob Lindsay, The Space’s Head of Programmes
- Zoe Partington – Acting CEO DaDa, Artist and Disability Consultant
- Parminder Dosanjh – Creative Director, Creative Black Country
- Rachel Farrer – Associate Director, Cultural and Community Engagement Innovation Ecosystem, Coventry University
- Jo Capper – Collaborative Programme Curator, Grand Union
Watch the roundtable:
Takeaways from the building communities panel
Highlights of the discussion:
- Building communities needs to include time for failure and for innovation to take its course
- The tech community often works remotely – it also wants sense of a community and to build connections
- Community programme are transformative
- Inclusion is fun and inclusive tools are for everybody
- Disabled people need to be in the room and digitally present, otherwise we all miss out
- Change will not happen overnight, we need to plan.
- Disabled people are good at finding creative solutions and techniques – as they’ve had to find ways around and methods of working
Useful links shared during the session:
- Zoe Partington was part of our Accessibility Working Group who created a set of digital accessibility best practice guidelines
We offer four key suggestions:
-
- Create a long-term digital inclusion plan
- Identify barriers to access
- Make accessibility everyone’s responsibility
- Employ and consult Disabled people
- Level Centre provides residencies for disabled creatives to experiment with no expectation of any outcome or a sharing. It is also offered to creatives who consider access as a vital part of their creative practice and is for all art forms including digital.
- The All In programme is working to introduce the first UK and Irish accessibility standards for the whole creative and cultural sector, including offering training, resources and support to organisations.
- Have you noticed a decline in digital access since the reopening of venues? Here’s a survey – complete to have your thoughts heard.
Once subtitled, a recording of this session will be made available on our YouTube channel.
Roundtable 2 : Reducing online harms: How to make social media and online communities safer
In a world of increasingly polarised online spaces, what are the emerging trends and challenges when engaging audiences and building communities online? How can organisations and individuals best manage the risks?
Speakers and panellists: by
Facilitated by John White, The Space’s Chief Operating Officer
- Catherine Allen – CEO and Lead Consultant, Limina Immersive
- Dr Rianna Walcott (she/her) – Assistant Professor of Communication, University of Maryland and Associate Director of the Black Communication and Technology (BCaT) Lab.
- Haydn Corrodus – Digital & Social Media Strategist, Trainer, Speaker
- Rowan Kerek-Robertson – Social Media Specialist
- Charlotte Newberry -Social Media Manager, Historic Royal Palaces
- Becks Turner – Senior Social Media and Content Manager, Southbank Centre
Watch the roundtable:
Takeaways from the online harms panel
Discussion highlights:
Online Safety Act
The UK’s Online Safety Act comes into force in March of this year. How can cultural organisations prepare?
- Review your digital projects
- Review and update community guidelines and moderation policies regularly
- Monitor and report
- Demonstrate your commitment to online safety
- Stay informed
There’s more information on preparing for the Online Safety Act here
Immersive experiences
Immersive experiences can increase online harms compared to 2D media formats. How can this be managed?
- Consider ways to add critical distance
- Plan your process for onboarding and off boarding
- Acknowledge user vulnerability and the need for duty of care
- Consider both accessibility and physical experience design
There’s more information on responsible immersive experiences here
Protecting your organisation
Put robust plans in place to protect your organisation, staff, and freelancers from online abuse
Previous webinars tackling social justice and social media platforms:
If your organisation is facing specific issues responding to online abuse, or wants hands on help making improvements, contact us.
- Arwen AI can be used as a social media moderation tool
13 February, online and in person
Spotlight on – The role of artists in a digital world
Day 2 of this 2-day conference examined the role of artists and storytellers in a digital world and profiled the work of creative organisations and artists in the West Midlands.
Roundtable 1: CreaTech, The Digital West Midlands and Beyond
Most recently the region was awarded £6.75 million funding as part of CreaTech Frontier, to develop small, micro- and medium-sized businesses specialising in creative tech like video games and immersive reality.
We gathered creatives, artists and academics from across the Midlands and further afield to discuss the opportunities arising and what this means for the region and beyond.
Speakers and panellists:
Facilitated by Harmeet Chagger-Khan, The Space’s Head of Innovation
Keynote: Hayley Pepler, Head of Culture and Creative Industries, West Midlands Combined Authority
- Richard Willacy – General Director, Birmingham Opera Company
- Tom Rogers – Creative Content Producer, Birmingham Royal Ballet
- Lamberto Coccioli – Project lead, CreaTech Frontiers, Professor of Music and Technology at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (BCU)
- Louise Latter – Head of Programme, BOM
- Rachel Davis – Director of Warwick Enterprise, University of Warwick
Watch the roundtable:
Takeaways from the Digital West Midlands panel
CreaTech
- CreaTech Frontiers is a 5-year multi-million pound project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
- It will be led by Birmingham City University with Coventry University, the University of Birmingham, the University of Warwick and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
- It aims to drive research and development, business innovation and skills and playing an instrumental role within the creative industries ecosystem across the West Midlands.
- Open calls will include applications for
- incorporating VR and AR technologies for live events
- adapting game engines for non-gaming applications in music, theatre, and film
- using game design principles to engage audiences
- employing 3D modelling and animation techniques to create high-quality immersive content.
Roundtable 2: Why are artists and storytellers missing from modern discourse?
Artists and storytellers have historically played pivotal roles in shaping societal narratives and fostering cultural discourse. In contemporary society, is their presence in mainstream discussions diminishing?
Speakers and panellists:
Facilitated by Fiona Morris, The Space’s CEO and Creative Director
- Javaad Alipoor – Artistic Director, Javaad Alipoor Company
- Laura Horton – Writer
- Corey Baker – Multi-award winning artist
- Cathy Mager – Artist, Curator, Producer
Watch the roundtable:
Takeaways from the platforming artists panel
The panel discussed:
- the presence or absence of contemporary artists in the ‘mainstream’ discussion of current issues and social challenges
- artists ability to communicate with audiences at a local, regional and national level
- the increasingly difficult and challenging media landscape for artists
- fewer opportunities for artists and storytellers in wider programming, for example as social and cultural commentators
in the opinion-forming slots in news and current affairs sections of the media are now often occupied by speakers from other sectors - how bringing artists and storytellers back into the mainstream of public life can benefit us all.
With thanks to our partners
In partnership with:
Birmingham City University
Create Central
STEAMhouse
West Midlands Combined Authority
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