Cultural Strategy - Research Brief
Overview
Eastleigh Borough Council will be leading the development of a Culture Strategy for the Borough of Eastleigh. The previous Eastleigh Cultural and Creative Industry Strategy was produced to cover the period 2015-19. There has been significant change since the previous strategy was produced and a new strategy is required to drive the Borough’s cultural ambitions forward and define the role of culture in transformational change.
The strategy will be a key document in galvanising the cultural sector and identifying investment priorities for the next 10 years. Recovery from COVID-19 and a focus on innovation and inclusion will be a catalyst for this work.
The strategy will be aspirational whilst building on our proven track record; it will be inclusive of the cultural sector and community stakeholders and will set a vision for the future which acknowledges the Borough’s heritage, propelling us into a new era where culture is at the heart of the Borough’s placemaking plans.
Brief
It is essential to ensure our decision-making, whilst developing the Culture Strategy, is supported by reliable evidence. The appointed researcher will collect, analyse, and present data relating to Arts and Culture that will create a shared narrative about the value and reach of the sector.
We are interested in audience reach and benchmarking so that we can assess our current situation and agree ambitious targets for the future. We are also interested in data and evidence in terms of both economic and health and wellbeing impact and how these themes can provide better outcomes for residents through Arts and Culture.
The following phases will be supported by Eastleigh Borough Council’s Strategic and Arts and Culture colleagues:
Phase 1 – Collation of existing evidence base and mapping current and future provision/ offer.
Phase 2 – Consultation and engagement with a wide range of diverse stakeholders and communities to better understand what people want from an Arts and Culture offer to inform strategic development.
Objectives
- Understand the size and scope of the sector
- Measure the economic and health and wellbeing impact of the sector (challenges and opportunities)
- Collate data and evidence and present this in a strategic review document
- Gather current audience engagement patterns and identify where opportunities exist
- Benchmark the Borough and create targets and recommendations for the strategy
- Challenge preconceived ideas regarding supply and demand to open new conversations and agree priorities
- Consider weaknesses and strengths of an Arts and Culture offer following Covid-19 i.e., what have people missed from Arts and Culture and what do people do differently
Tasks
- Review background information including research, strategies, and sector mapping to understand the Eastleigh Borough context
- Collate data from the funded sector to determine size and scope
- Generate and collate surveys to understand the reach, perception and impact of the sector
- Hold key stakeholder interviews and community sessions
- Collate and analyse audience information to understand reach and identify opportunities
- Use the data to assess culture in the Borough, providing comparisons to other relevant Local Authority areas
- Collate, analyse, and present the economic and health and wellbeing impact of culture in the Borough
- Review examples of best practice and make recommendations for the use of economic and wellbeing models which may be adopted by the Borough
Deliverables
- Attendance at an inception meeting to define project scope and agree approach
- Interim progress report to inform the development of a strategy
- Detailed final report containing findings and associated raw data sets
- Executive summary report highlighting key data and findings
- Presentation of findings to a stakeholder group
- Work with Eastleigh Borough Council colleagues to translate findings into an accessible resource for the creation of a strategy
Submission Process
We are inviting individuals/organisations to apply for this opportunity by submitting an application in response to the brief outlined above. Your response must include the following.
- Overview of how you propose to approach the brief and methodologies you would use
- Budget breakdown to clearly show activities, time and costs involved
- Outline of relevant experience including skills and examples of working with similar clients in the last five years.
Recruitment Timetable
Wednesday 2nd June - Issue invitation for applicants
Friday 18th June (Midday) - Deadline for receipt of submissions
Monday 21st June - Evaluation of submissions
Wednesday 23rd to Friday 25th June - Presentations
Monday 28th June - Notification of contract award and decision
Monday 28th June - Confirmation of contract award
W/C Monday 12th July - Target contract commencement date
July to September - Research / Engagement
August - Interim progress report
September 21 - Final report and recommendation completed and presented
Budget
A full breakdown of the costs is required as part of the submission process. This should be inclusive of all anticipated expenses including fees, insurances, travel, and VAT.
A maximum budget allocation for this work has been set at £14,000 inc. VAT.
Contact Details
If you would like to discuss any aspect of this brief prior to submitting your application, please contact Nickola Moore, Head of Arts and Culture, Eastleigh Borough Council. Nickola.Moore@eastleigh.gov.uk
mb. 07795 307728