How a tiny heritage building is making waves in cultural enterprise innovation and success

What opportunities, pitfalls, challenges and possibilities does Artificial Intelligence present to the cultural sector?

How an entirely self-funded small rural museum with a global fanbase thrives in the challenging cultural environment.

How to harness the unique history of a heritage site into multiple revenue streams for commercial and community benefit.

In a beautiful, but remote, ultra-seasonal setting such as Cornwall, what does excellence look like in terms of commercials, visitor experience and strategy for cultural venues?

An expert panel discusses how cultural venues can best cater to families and what trends are emerging

An expert panel on how Marketing and Commercial can collaborate to deliver better results for cultural enterprises.

Can corporate partnerships be the new source of funding the arts and culture sector needs?

Joe Hill (Director and CEO) and Gyr King (Trustee) from Towner Eastbourne on a new model for cultural attractions requiring an entrepreneurial outlook to navigate an increasingly complex context.

Kate Miners (Director of Public Engagement & Commercial) explains how the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich harnesses modernity to keep a heritage attraction thriving

Sandra Lynes Timbrell (Director of Visitor Experience, St. Paul's Cathedral) gives host Tom the inside track on one of the world's best known places of worship and visitor attractions.

In this episode, Hilary Carty (Clore Leadership), Sara Wajid (Birmingham Museums Trust), and Keith Merrin (Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums) join Tom Dawson (Association for Cultural Enterprises) to explore the changing landscape of leadership in the cultural sector. They dive into Clore Leadership’s World of Work initiative, discussing how leaders are navigating post-pandemic burnout, financial pressures, and the need for innovation. Discover how collaboration, shared solutions, and a new approach to governance are shaping the future of cultural leadership. Tune in to hear insights from top cultural leaders on how they’re driving resilience and creativity in today’s challenging environment. Don’t miss this powerful conversation.

Host Tom Dawson gathers 5 industry experts to give you the most up-to-date thinking on ticketing, dynamic pricing and accessibility.

Host Tom visits Little Angel Theatre in London to discover innovative commercial strategy and a passion to keep a rare skill alive.

In this episode, Tom Dawson, Director of Digital at the Association for Cultural Enterprises, interviews Stephen Preston, Deputy Head of Heritage and Culture at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh. Celebrating the cathedral's 900th anniversary, they discuss the cathedral's importance to the city, and how it manages challenges both ancient and modern. They explore various topics including the cathedral's architectural changes, its use as a filming location for major films like Avengers Infinity War, the impact of the Edinburgh Fringe, why people flock to see a sculpture no bigger than a phone, and its role during Queen Elizabeth's lying in state. Stephen shares his journey from tour guide to his current position and provides insights into the cathedral's efforts to engage visitors through digital initiatives and interactive exhibits. They also discuss the complexities of managing a historic site that serves multiple purposes, balancing being a place of worship, a cultural landmark, and hosting art exhibitions and blockbuster films.

A look back over the best bits so far featuring all our guests since we started the podcast last summer

Paul Gray (Deputy Director and COO, The National Gallery) discusses how to strategise long-term as a cultural venue.

Is visitor behaviour changing? Liza Leonard (Manchester Art Gallery), Dean Graham (Leeds Castle) & James Duckworth (Shakespeare North Playhouse) join host Tom Dawson to discuss.

Melanie Lewis proposes a hopeful, innovative and prosperous future for the Cultural sector

Florence Schechter on proving people wrong by founding a successful museum that challenges taboo.