CultureTalk: Unlocking Civic Powerhouses on Your Doorstep with Future Arts Centres

Arts centres are civic powerhouses – rooted in their communities, balancing artistic ambition with social responsibility, and doing it all on tight margins. So why is their potential still underestimated? In this episode of CultureTalk, we're joined by Annabel Turpin, CEO of Storyhouse in Chester, and Gavin Barlow, former chief executive of the Albany in Deptford. Together they co-lead Future Arts Centres, a network of over 180 art centres across the UK. Key topics covered: 🏛️ The unique civic role of arts centres in local communities 🤝 How peer networks are changing arts leadership 📣 Advocating for the sector — what's working and what isn't 💡 Shifting mindsets around risk, innovation and sustainability 🌱 Why now is a great time to lead an arts centre Featuring: Annabel Turpin, CEO, Storyhouse — storyhouse.com Gavin Barlow, Capital Project Director, the Albany — thealbany.org.uk Future Arts Centres — futureartscentres.org.uk Want more CultureTalk? Listen on your favourite platform: 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2fZmkPCIiFac8GxvV3Lytg 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/culturetalk/id1792405488 🎧 Amazon Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/culturetalk/id1792405488 Subscribe for more insights from leaders in arts and culture. New episodes every month.