Buckinghamshire Culture is seeking an Engagement Producer to support development and delivery of our Stories programme, alongside projects and initiatives that support delivery of the Cultural Strategy.
The Engagement Producer will build relationships and partnerships with organisations and communities across Bucks in order to develop initiatives that enable greater participation in culture. Taking a proactive approach, they will seek synergies and opportunities for collaboration that will shape our community-facing programme. They will work with the Director and Creative Associate to build the Stories Season 1 programme.
The role will be based at Buckinghamshire New University’s High Wycombe campus, with travel across the county and home-working as appropriate.
Deadline for applications: 9am, 27th November 2023
Please download the job description and details of how to apply below:
Buckinghamshire Council Public Health and Culture Development Teams are working together to gain insights on what it means to age well in Buckinghamshire. They are now looking to co-commission a cultural practitioner or organisation to engage people in a creative exploration process.
The project will offer older residents the chance to develop their creative skills and express themselves through photography/videography/ or other media, and to co-curate a mobile touring display on the theme of ageing well. Proposals will be sought in July/ August and the project is due to run from October 2023 (Older People’s Day) to January 2024.
The appointed provider will be required to project manage and deliver workshops targeted at a range of older people from communities across the County.
Please see PDF document of the brief for more details on the project, person specification and how to apply:
Artists’ Brief for a Freelance Creative Engagement Practitioner
Buckinghamshire Council Public Health and Culture Development Teams are seeking a creative practitioner to work with them to explore what it means to age well in Buckinghamshire. This is an exciting co-commission for a creative practitioner to engage older residents in a creative process, involving local people in creative explorations, co-curation and sharing meaning.
Buckinghamshire Culture is the county’s cultural partnership formed to shape and steer the creative and cultural development of the county, through implementation of a county-wide Cultural Strategy. We became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2021 and are now seeking a knowledgeable Treasurer to join our charity board.
Initially formed in 2019, Buckinghamshire Culture represents the county’s cultural ecosystem, including arts, heritage, libraries, performance, museums, and the creative and cultural industries. The partnership works with organisations, groups and stakeholders who are interested in the impact and benefits of creativity and culture. Key county-wide partners include Buckinghamshire Council, Buckinghamshire New University, Discover Bucks Museum, Local Enterprise Partnership, National Film and Television School and the Rothschild Foundation.
You can find more about us here and see our charity details here.
Treasurer Responsibilities
Oversee the financial affairs of the organisation and ensure they are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice
Ensure proper records are kept and that effective financial procedures are in place
Monitor and report on the financial health of the organisation
Liaise with staff, Board and bookkeeper to ensure financial good practice
Oversee the production of necessary financial reports/returns, accounts and audits.
The role also involves Statutory Responsibilities as well as other Trustee Responsibilities. You can find full details in the PDF document.
Person Specification
We are seeking applicants from varied backgrounds and who come with diverse experiences, able to demonstrate:
Relevant qualifications in accountancy and/or finance
A passion for culture and creativity and the transformative role it can play in people’s lives
Commitment to the purpose and values of Buckinghamshire Culture and the role of culture for societal good
Enthusiasm, integrity and good independent judgement
A willingness and ability to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as Trustee
An ability to take strong decisions for the good of Buckinghamshire Culture
Willingness to act as an ambassador for Buckinghamshire Culture and the cultural offer
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Tact and diplomacy
Willingness to speak their mind as well as listen to the views of others.
You can find the full details of the role and the person specification in this PDF document:
To apply for the role of Treasurer please send a copy of your CV and an Expression of Interest explaining your passion and suitability for the role along with details of two referees to Helen: Helen@buckinghamshireculture.org
Deadline for applications: 5pm,18th September 2023.
In case you have any questions regarding the role feel free to contact Helen Cundy, Director (Maternity Cover) Helen@buckinghamshireculture.org
We are excited about the amazing projects that are planned for Open Weekend and you can now have a first look of what will be happening 27th to 30th July 2023 on the Visit Bucks website:www.visitbuckinghamshire.org/attraction/bucks-open-weekend.
Everyone is invited to enjoy creative projects, performances, workshops, exhibitions and much more taking place across the county over a long weekend.
Confirmed activities for this year include – but are not limited to – a special opera performance of ‘Revolting Rhymes’ at the Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden, giant bug hotels building at Langley Country Park, a creative workshops organised by Chesham Library resulting in joint ‘One World’ through ‘Many Stories’ display, a festival of Marlow’s colourful history at Marlow Museum, an inclusive workshops organised by ‘Sing Your Pain Away’(online and in person), a workshop for a giant sculpture out of recycled material at Chiltern Open Air Museum, an online writing workshop and a session of musical forest bathing. Other activities include craft workshops, dance performances and classes, textile workshops, exhibitions, free theatre performances, concerts, choir sessions for families – but there is so much more!
The theme this year is ‘One World’. The events centre around sustainability and climate change as well as engaging communities in Buckinghamshire and beyond. Our organisers have run with the theme and interpreted it in very creative and surprising ways. Institutions, groups and individual artists will be putting on events as part of our collective celebration, Open Weekend.
Julius Weinberg, Buckinghamshire Culture Co-Chair said: “We are delighted that the theme has inspired such a great range of projects, particularly as many of them are based upon collaboration between different creatives and bring together more than one art form or venue. Thanks to everyone who is getting involved. This shows again that being part of something bigger than the sum of its parts is something that the cultural sector here in Buckinghamshire really values!“
Clive Harriss, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, added: “We invite residents across Buckinghamshire and beyond to embark on a creative adventure and discover the cultural riches within our county during Open Weekend. There is something for everyone to enjoy in this wonderful celebration of sustainability, community and the arts.”
The idea behind Open Weekend is to showcase the range and breadth of creative activities and projects taking place in Buckinghamshire throughout the year by shining a light on the options and providers at a specific point in time. Open Weekend is organised by Buckinghamshire Culture and supported by Buckinghamshire Council and the Rothschild Foundation.
This programme is supported through funding from Buckinghamshire Council and Rothschild Foundation.
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Notes to Editors:
Buckinghamshire Culture is the cultural partnership formed to drive forward the Cultural Strategy for the county. We aim to work together with the sector and stakeholders to shape, build and celebrate a bright cultural future for Buckinghamshire. Open Weekend is just one part of wider plans to develop a range of county-wide creative and cultural projects for Buckinghamshire, as part of the Buckinghamshire Cultural Strategy.
The Rothschild Foundation is a charity that supports arts and heritage, the environment, education and social welfare by awarding grants, fostering dialogue and debate, and through our support of Waddesdon Manor. Support for arts and cultural organisations is made available through our Strategic Fund.
Buckinghamshire Culture Open Weekend is back for its third year, and is inviting cultural organisations, community groups and creatives to be a part of it, and submit their events. Submissions can be made from Tuesday 11 April.
This celebration of creativity and culture showcases the range and breadth of creative events, activities and projects taking place in Buckinghamshire. It is organised by Buckinghamshire Culture and supported by Buckinghamshire Council and the Rothschild Foundation.
The theme for the event, which will run fromThursday 27 to Sunday 30 July is “One World”.
We all share this One World so there is plenty of room to interpret the theme in a way that you find inspirational. It could link to local or global sustainability and climate change or could incorporate ideas of inclusivity, connecting with communities in Buckinghamshire or abroad, diversity and access. Suggestions include, but are not limited to:
cultural projects to raise awareness of climate crisis and sustainability
creative activities around recycling and environmental topics
events focused on stories about championing diversity, representation and access
cultural activities that encourage participants to engage with other communities in Buckinghamshire or worldwide.
In previous years, activities have included: literary and heritage walks, performances, open days, trails, concerts, film screenings, exhibitions, painting workshops and story-telling events.
Submissions for events/activities can be made from Tuesday11 April to Monday 22 May, usingthe online form at www.buckinghamshireculture.org/Open-Weekend here you can also find out further information about the event, plus FAQs and criteria for the events.
Buckinghamshire Culture is pleased to be able to give out a limited amount of micro grants for implementing projects/activities. More information on how to apply will be on the website.
Buckinghamshire Culture acts as an umbrella organisation for independently planned events by partner organisations. Getting involved and registering their events, brings a advantages for the organisers, including: a central ‘What’s On’ page, hosted by Visit Buckinghamshire, joint umbrella marketing, training, knowledge exchange and contact to other organisers.
Bill Morris, Buckinghamshire Culture Co-Chair said: “We`re well on the way to making Open Weekend a tradition for Buckinghamshire. Last year’s success and the positive feedback from the organisers showed us that the idea of an event with joint marketing was a real benefit for larger as well as for smaller organisers. We hope to build on the success this year to put the creative potential of Buckinghamshire on the map for everyone.“
Clive Harriss, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure added: “We are delighted to once again team up with Buckinghamshire Culture to support this event which is growing in popularity year on year. It allows local groups and organisations to showcase their cultural and creative talents to the wider community and also gives local people a wonderful opportunity to take part in a wide range of exciting and fun activities. Take a look at the Open Weekend webpageand make sure to submit your ideas as soon as possible so you can become a part of this fantastic event.”
Look out for further info on Open Weekend at www.buckinghamshireculture.org, on Twitter @BucksCulture, Instagram @Bucks_Culture
This programme is supported through funding from Buckinghamshire Council and Rothschild Foundation.
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Notes to Editors:
Buckinghamshire Culture is the cultural partnership formed to drive forward the Cultural Strategy for the county. We aim to work together with the sector and stakeholders to shape, build and celebrate a bright cultural future for Buckinghamshire. Open Weekend is just one part of wider plans to develop a range of county-wide creative and cultural projects for Buckinghamshire, as part of the Buckinghamshire Cultural Strategy.
The Rothschild Foundation is a charity that supports the arts and heritage, the environment and social welfare by awarding grants, fostering dialogue and debate, and through our support of Waddesdon Manor. In Buckinghamshire, they support cultural organisations to ensure they are able to continue to offer creative and inclusive engagement for local communities. Support is made available through their Strategic Fund.
In 2022, Buckinghamshire Culture embarked on two co-commision projects as part of the Navigating the New Normal Programme, funded by the Rothchild Foundation.
Project partner in the project ‘Homeless’ were Aylesbury Homeless Action and Wycombe Homeless Connection.
Multi award-winning photographer Craig Easton has been working with Aylesbury Homeless Action Group and Wycombe Homeless Connection. All project partners were keen to share the powerful stories in a new way, putting the individuals at the heart of the work – all of whom have had a very difficult time during Covid-19. Craig was co-commissioned by AHAG, WHC and Buckinghamshire Culture to work with individuals to give them a voice and to raise awareness and encourage the public to view homeless people with greater insight and understanding. Alongside the photographs, each individual’s personal story has been sensitively captured in text and audio, highlighting the often complex circumstances that have led to these situations.
The second project resulted in a nature inspired wall installation that will be on permanent display in Stoke Mandeville A&E department. Project partner were Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.
The artwork for the project was created through three workshops led by artist Kerry Lemon and her mentee, BNU fine art student Ella Woodcock. Patients from the National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC), Care of the Elderly and the Children’s wards, as well as staff from across the Trust were invited to create colourful works of art inspired by, and using materials from, trees in the local area and particularly those in Horatio’s Garden at the NSIC. Their creations were then curated by Kerry for the final art installation.
The video has interviews with representatives of the project partner, the artists and gives an idea of how each of them benefited from the project. It also gives an idea of the concept of co-commissions and draws the line to the importance of similar projects in the context of the work of Buckinghamshire Culture and the implementation of the Cultural Strategy.
An Afternoon Celebrating Buckinghamshire’s Paralympic Legacy at the Elgiva Theatre – 18 March 2023, 2 – 6.30pm
The Elgiva is excited to host and celebrate the excellent work of all the Together We Build project partners on Saturday 18th March!
The event will begin with a collaborative workshop with the Elgiva Youth Theatre and Theatre Shed members:
2-3pm – Together We Build – Performing Arts Workshop
Performance workshop for ages 12 – 25 with The Theatre Shed
Spend a jam-packed hour with The Theatre Shed as we explore the Paralympic themes of team work, competition and equality through performance and creativity. This workshop is open to everyone aged 12 – 25 with and without Disabilities and additional needs, and free to anyone who would like to join.
The Theatre Shed’s inclusive ethos makes their inter-ability workshops and projects truly accessible, innovative and inspiring.
3-6.30pm – Celebration of Together We Build and Screening
The workshop is then followed by invited guest, Stephanie Millward MBE, who will tell her inspiring story. We will then be treated to a performance by choir I Have AVoice Too, with a screening of the film, Peanut Butter Falcon!
We will have a display of different artefacts and work provided by the Community Curators for the project.
Homeless – an exhibition of stunning photographs portraying the lives of eight Buckinghamshire residents who are homeless or have been homeless, will open at Wycombe Arts Centre on Friday 24th February. The works will be on display from Saturday 25th February until 31st March 2023.
Multi award-winning photographer Craig Easton has been working with Aylesbury Homeless Action Group and Wycombe Homeless Connection. All project partners were keen to share the powerful stories in a new way, putting the individuals at the heart of the work – all of whom have had a very difficult time during Covid-19. Craig was co-commissioned by AHAG, WHC and Buckinghamshire Culture to work with individuals to give them a voice and to raise awareness and encourage the public to view homeless people with greater insight and understanding.
Alongside the photographs, each individual’s personal story has been sensitively captured in text and audio, highlighting the often complex circumstances that have led to these situations.
Craig Easton’s work is deeply rooted in the documentary tradition. He shoots long-term documentary projects exploring issues around social policy, identity and a sense of place. Known for his intimate portraits and expansive landscape, his work regularly combines these elements with reportage approaches to storytelling, often working collaboratively with others to incorporate words, pictures and audio in a research-based practice that weaves a narrative between contemporary experience and history.
James Boultbee, CEO, Wycombe Homeless Connection and Aylesbury Homeless Action group explains “As well as providing support for people who are homeless, our charities also aim to share what we know about homelessness with local people who want to know more. Facts and figures are part of that but I think anyone who comes to see the exhibition will agree that it offers the chance for local people to look closer. These are the words and pictures of real people who wanted to share their stories with you and I think there is a great opportunity to form deeper understanding and connection with issues involved with homelessness here. WHC and AHAG do need your support to keep providing help but first we wanted to simply give people a chance to connect with the issue and Craig has done that so well”.
Buckinghamshire Culture Co-Chair, Julius Weinberg said “Art and culture has a unique way of speaking to people, raising awareness of the world around us and giving people a voice. This project has done just that. Working with Wycombe Homeless Connection and Aylesbury Homeless Action Group, Buckinghamshire Culture has been able to fundraise and support commissioning Craig, who has addressed this aim so successfully. We hope it will also inspire other organisations to work with cultural organisations to achieve their objectives in innovative and life-changing ways”.
The works were previously exhibited at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, throughout January and into February and are now reaching Wycombe Arts Centre as second part of the exhibition project.
The project has been funded by Rothschild Foundation as part of a larger project, aiming to support the cultural sector and their partners after the pandemic and encouraging organisations to use culture to contribute to fulfilling their agendas.
We are delighted to announce further programme details for the first Buckinghamshire Culture conference; titled ‘Cultural Capital – building it – investing it – spending it’ to be held on Thursday, 23rd March 2023 at Missenden Abbey conference centre in Great Missenden.
The conference is for everyone in the cultural sector in Buckinghamshire. We hope to attract a broad range of people working in the arts, cultural and heritage sector including individual creatives and freelancers. We aim to broaden horizons – in terms of inspirational projects and partnerships, celebrate good practice and interesting/innovative models as well as define goals and purpose in respect of a county-wise approach to culture and how organisations align with local and national priorities.
Rachael Shimmin, OBE, Chief Executive Officer at Buckinghamshire Council will open the event. Hazel Edwards, Southeast Area Director for Arts Council England will update delegates on ACE’s latest areas of development.
Inspirational keynotes will come from Jenny Sealey, OBE, Artistic Director of Graeae Theatre, and Mark Damazer CBE, Chair of the Board at the Booker Prizes and previously controller of BBC Radio 4. There will be a remote appearance by Dr Michael Mosley with an exclusive film interview about culture, nature and their positive influence on health and wellbeing.
In the afternoon, delegates will have a choice of exciting workshops: Rachel Sharpe Head of Creative Placemaking and Public Programmes at the Royal Shakespeare Company will lead a workshop on placemaking. Other workshops will centre around co-creation, sustainability and wellbeing, storytelling as well as cultural democracy.
We will also have input from some of our partner organisations, who will update us on their latest projects in Buckinghamshire. And, of course, there will be plenty of opportunities to network, meet old friends and make new connections in the beautiful surroundings of Missenden Abbey conference centre.
Bill Morris, Buckinghamshire Culture Co-Chair explains the idea behind the title: “Cultural capital is gained through experiencing, creating and participating in culture. It celebrates and embraces diversity, heritage and traditions. By increasing our cultural capital, as individuals and as communities we can create and innovate, invigorate solutions to society’s issues, connect our communities, improve health and wellbeing, develop creative industries and contribute to thriving economies.”
Julius Weinberg, Buckinghamshire Culture Co-Chair added: “After what have been a few challenging years, we are looking forward to organising our first large face to face event! It will be great to be in a room together and enjoy the inspiring input from our keynote speakers, as well as embarking on workshop activities that get everyone thinking! “
The conference is supported by Buckinghamshire New University, Buckinghamshire Council, and the Rothschild Foundation.
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Notes to Editors:
Buckinghamshire Culture is the cultural partnership formed to drive forward the Cultural Strategy for the county. We aim to work together with the sector and stakeholders to shape, build and celebrate a bright cultural future for Buckinghamshire. Open Weekend is just one part of wider plans to develop a range of county-wide creative and cultural projects for Buckinghamshire, as part of the Buckinghamshire Cultural Strategy.
Buckinghamshire New University is a leading higher education institution in the county, with state-of-the-art facilities across 3 campuses in Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Uxbridge. BNU offers an extensive range of industry-focused courses, ranking in the top five for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2022. The University is represented on the board of Buckinghamshire Culture and supports the cultural partnerships work in a number of ways.
The Rothschild Foundation is a charity that supports arts and heritage, the environment, education and social welfare by awarding grants, fostering dialogue and debate, and through our support of Waddesdon Manor. Support for arts and cultural organisations is made available through our Strategic Fund
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and Buckinghamshire Culture unveiled a new permanent art installation near the Emergency Department at Stoke Mandeville Hospital on Thursday 8 December 2022.
The two organisations, funded by Rothschild Foundation and Buckinghamshire Council, co-commissioned artist Kerry Lemon to use the creative arts to support wellbeing by working with people in a healthcare setting. The project was also designed to show pride in Buckinghamshire and the BHT community, which led Kerry to research tree varieties native to the county.
The artwork for the project was created through three workshops led by Kerry and her mentee, BNU fine art student Ella Woodcock. Patients from the National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC), Care of the Elderly and the Children’s wards, as well as staff from across the Trust were invited to create colourful works of art inspired by, and using materials from, trees in the local area and particularly those in Horatio’s Garden at the NSIC. Their creations were then curated by Kerry for the final art installation.
At the unveiling celebration Dr Alison Graham, Consultant Physician at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “We are pleased to unveil this beautiful display near our busy Emergency Department today. Not only will it offer a new space for reflection and finding inspiration, I hope it also reminds people of the amazing therapeutic benefits creative activities can have. Making the art for this installation gave our patients and staff a chance to express emotions, try something new, have fun in a sociable setting and maybe even discover a hidden talent. So, thank you to the very talented Kerry Lemon for guiding them through this creative journey and to the Council and Rothschild Foundation for making it possible.”
Bill Morris, Co-Chair of Buckinghamshire Culture said “Kerry Lemon, patients and staff here have created a beautiful piece, which will be uplifting, inspiring and give staff and patients a sense of pride, particularly following the impact of the pandemic and the ongoing pressures. We hope that it will also inspire other organisations to work with artists and cultural partners in the county to help our residents live healthier and happier lives. It has been a pleasure to work with Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust to commission this work and we are very grateful to Buckinghamshire Council and Rothschild Foundation for funding this project.”
Artist Kerry Lemon said: “I was so honoured to be commissioned for this piece. Working with the patients, gardeners, volunteers, visitors, families and staff at the hospital to engage with the trees and plants in Horatio’s Garden, and lead them in a simple art activity, was very rewarding. To now see the creations from those workshops turned into a permanent legacy is really special.”
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