On 8 March 2023, valued partners, colleagues, and supporters gathered at The Exchange to celebrate the Vice Chancellor’s announcement of Culture Forward.
Caroline Miller OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Birmingham Royal Ballet
This new initiative aims to bring the University, the City, and Birmingham’s cultural organisations into even closer and more creative conjunction. With enthusiastic participation from all in attendance (despite the cold!), the event marked a significant milestone in the initiative's journey and solidified its commitment to cultivating a vibrant and connected cultural landscape and engaging communities.
Dr Ben Warwick and Councillor Jayne Francis
Attendees included key figures like Councillor Francis and colleagues from Soul City Arts, Birmingham Festival 23, Writing West Midlands, Birmingham Museums Trust, Birmingham City Council, REP, Ex Cathedra, Culture Central’ City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Gospel Revisited Project and more.
The initiative’s Academic Director, Professor Ewan Fernie, stated ‘Culture Forward aims to leverage the power of the University of Birmingham in order to drive culture in the City forward, in such a way as will attract national & international attention. We have a range of partner organisations and rising and there’s a really palpable sense of excitement about what we might all achieve.’
As Culture Forward enters its pilot phase, the resounding success of this event sets the stage for a transformative journey that promises to enrich Birmingham's cultural tapestry and beyond.
Raidene Carter
Maeve Clarke and Ewan Fernie
Chair of Shakespeare Studies and Fellow
Biographical and contact information for Professor Ewan Fernie in the Shakespeare Institute at the University of Birmingham.
