Often when we talk about arts and culture, we talk about artworks and the artists that create them, but what about the buildings the art exists in? These spaces are essential to the creation of music, theatre, dance, visual arts and digital arts and are inspirational not just for audiences, but also for arts practitioners and administrative staff alike.

Many new cultural buildings are currently shooting up across the country and making national headlines â€“ a great moment to look at them in more detail and understand the aims and challenges of this trend. What does it mean to work in a culturally important building? How can it affect your work? What’s the most exciting part of a new cultural building project? What can go wrong? Does every new building have to be ‘landmark’?

We’re delighted to welcome Huw Humphreys (Head of Music, Barbican Centre), Laura Wilkinson (Programme Director, Museum of London) and Simon Fraser (Partner, Allies & Morrison) to join our panel discussion. Join us as our panel discuss what makes a cultural building work, and why we need new ones to inspire the next generation of artists and audiences. You will have an opportunity to ask the speakers questions. 

The talk takes place at the beautiful headquarters of the Allies and Morrison architecture and urban planning practice in Southwark and will be followed by networking drinks nearby.

Photo by Nick Guttridge / Allies and Morrison.