Frequently Asked Questions

What is Culture Reset? 

An 8week programme to assemble 192 creatives and cultural producers from across the UK to work together to find their version of relevance – inspiring their own projects and contributing to widespread change in our arts and cultural ecology. 

Who’s behind Culture Reset? 

It is a is a people make it work project funded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch) and the people make it work team. The programme is being led by Claire Doherty and David Micklem and delivered by people make it work and a brilliant team of facilitators and contributors including: Raidene Carter, Shreela Ghosh, Judith Knight, Sandeep Mahal, Gregory Nash, Samenua Sesher, Thanh Sinden, Michele Taylor and Hardish Virk.  

See further information on the TEAM section for full details

When is it happening? 

Culture Reset runs from Monday 20 July to Friday 11 September 2020. 

How is it structured? 

Each participant will arrive at the programme with their own question, issue or project that they plan to explore – these are submitted in advance through the application process but can of course adapt and change as work gets underway. Participants benefit from the whole 8-week programme and choose either the first intensive (20 July – 14 August) OR the second (17 August – 11 Sept). Each participant is assigned to a group of 12 peers with whom they will undertake the intensive period.

See Programme for further details

Will there be a fixed schedule for the intensives? 

The majority of the 10 hours a week will be self directed work, so participants will be able to decide when that happens. There will be 8 groups starting in July and 8 groups starting in August, and we’ll be able to share the structured commitments (3 hours per week) for all of those in advance of launch and work with participants to find one that fits with their other commitments. 

Who is it for? 

Culture Reset is for producers, makers and directors across the cultural sector. We’re looking to recruit cultural workers who care about the wider sector in which they work, and who want to play a part in its transformation. This is about supporting a fundamental reset, and we’re looking to support a movement that contributes to that change.  

We’re looking to reflect the different circumstances of cultural producers by apportioning a dedicated number of places to furloughed arts professionals, freelancers or independent artists, those actively working for arts organisations right now, as well as those who are unemployed. We recognise that this is a very fluid situation, and that the personal circumstances of participants may change during the programme. We have designed the programme specifically to offer support and inspiration to those facing uncertain futures. 

 What kind of past experience should I have? 

we’re looking for participants who have a proven track record of making a difference in the arts and cultural sector, who want to share these experiences with others, and who seek to continue to support change – through culture – in their local communities. You might be a producer, museum or gallery curator, theatre maker, library manager, musician, festival producer, literary editor, choreographer, artist, composer, writer or artistic director – we want to work with a wide range of people from across the UK and all artforms.  

What does it cost? 

Participation in the programme is fully funded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch) (worth approx. £500 per individual). The programme will be conducted online and therefore participants will need the necessary equipment and internet access to take part. We recognise that participants may need support in different ways and we have therefore set aside funds to provide this where possible – this might be childcare, equipment or access support costs – just let us know what you need in your application.  

Financial Support

We have used the grant to subsidise attendance for everyone in these difficult and precarious times.
We have a significant but limited budget to support access. We’ll work with everyone once they are accepted to understand what access support they need. Due to the limitations of that budget we’ll prioritise in this order;
1. Those that have access and support needs in order to engage with the programme (e.g. due to a disability)
2. Those that incur other additional personal costs as they attend (e.g. care costs)
3. Those that are foregoing other income in order to attend. (e.g. freelancers)
We think given the size of the programme and our commitment to including freelance and unemployed people in the cohort that it’s extremely unlikely we’ll be able to support many people in category 3 with anything like significant resources.

 

I would like to discuss my access requirements before making an application, who should I contact? 

We would be very happy to speak to you about this. Please get in touch with us at hello@culturereset.org with your questions or to arrange a phone call. 

Can anyone apply? 

See Apply

What will be my commitment? 

See Apply

Is it a professional development programme for individuals? 

No. It’s a peer-learning experience for people who want to bring this experience into the arts and culture sector. We’re looking for individuals who want to shift the way the wider arts and culture sector works, and who get a say in what it is and who it’s for. And we know you’ll get and give personal and professional development along the way. 

 Is it an organisational development programme? 

No. It’s a thinking and doing creative programme for people who want to develop plans to change the way arts and culture is developed in their own practice or organisation, and in the UK as a whole 

 Is this a course to help us think through how socially distanced arts and culture might work? 

This might be one of Culture Reset’s outcomes – but this programme is more directly engaged with thinking about why, who and where than the technicalities of how e.g. if you wanted to find out more about reopening strategies you might want to get in touch with AIM (Museums) or your local chapter of What Next?, but if you are considering how your reopening strategy might provide a chance to connect differently, then this is the place for you.  

I have a question that isn’t answered here, who can I speak to about it? 

We welcome feedback and are happy to update these FAQs with additional information. Please get in touch with us at hello@culturereset.org with your questions or to arrange a phone call.