The Three Bells

Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN)

Hello and welcome to The Three Bells – a podcast in which we explore the challenges and opportunities waiting for us at the intersection of culture and urbanism…

  1. S6E6: Celebrating ten years of AEA Consulting's Cultural Infrastructure Index... with Natalia Vartapetova, Luna BuGhanem, Jess Nickelman, and Laura Gildenstern from AEA Consulting

    Jun 4

    S6E6: Celebrating ten years of AEA Consulting's Cultural Infrastructure Index... with Natalia Vartapetova, Luna BuGhanem, Jess Nickelman, and Laura Gildenstern from AEA Consulting

    In this special roundtable episode marking the tenth edition of AEA Consulting’s Cultural Infrastructure Index, Stephanie Fortunato speaks with four members of the research team – Natalia Vartapetova, Luna BuGhanem, Jess Nickelman, and Laura Gildenstern – about what ten years of data can tell us about how cultural infrastructure is changing. Transcript: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ffdc6706aed0b20d49b81e9/t/6a20a43d7cfcfb7761ba87e9/1780524093056/3bells_Transcript_S6E6.pdf External Links: Cultural Infrastructure Index dashboard2025 Cultural Infrastructure Index: The 10th edition of AEA Consulting’s annual report on major cultural capital projects worldwide.Doris Duke Theatre, Jacob’s PillowSpartanburg County Public Library Planetarium Learning CenterDepot Boijmans Van BeuningenEco-Museum and Orla Piratininga Park

    42 min
  2. When background becomes foreground... by Adrian Ellis (Reflections from The Three Bells)

    May 21 ·  Bonus

    When background becomes foreground... by Adrian Ellis (Reflections from The Three Bells)

    In this latest Reflections, Adrian Ellis draws on a recent panel at the Hong Kong International Cultural Summit to outline six tests for cultural districts today – and what happens when background issues become foreground pressures. Transcript: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ffdc6706aed0b20d49b81e9/t/6a0e42a62c1a2f6d1e711660/1779319462679/3bells_Transcript_S6Ed5.pdf External references: Hong Kong International Cultural Summit 2026West Kowloon Cultural DistrictLe Quartier des SpectaclesGuggenheim Abu DhabiRoyal Arts Complex About our contributor: Adrian Ellis is the founder of AEA Consulting (1990) and the Global Cultural Districts Network (2013). He has worked in senior management and as a board member in both museums and the performing arts and as a strategy consultant to leading clients in the cultural, public, and business sectors around the world. +

    11 min
  3. S6E5: What is the return on imagination? Danielle Brazell, Executive Director, California Arts Council

    May 7

    S6E5: What is the return on imagination? Danielle Brazell, Executive Director, California Arts Council

    Stephanie Fortunato, speaks with Danielle Brazell, Executive Director of the California Arts Council, about the state’s cultural districts programme, California’s first creative economy strategy, and why public investment in culture should be measured not only in economic impact, but also in imagination, innovation, and inspiration. Transcript: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ffdc6706aed0b20d49b81e9/t/69fa2314583a216d3c7a1807/1778000660301/3bells_Transcript_S6E5.pdf   External links: California Arts CouncilCalifornia Arts Council’s cultural districts programCalifornia’s Creative Economy Strategic PlanArts for LAHighways Performance SpaceAbout our guest:Danielle Brazell, is Executive Director of the California Arts Council. An artist, teaching artist, presenter, and arts administrator, she has held leadership roles across advocacy, local government, and the cultural sector, including at Arts for LA and the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. She now leads the state agency supporting arts and culture across California, including the California Cultural Districts programme and the state’s new creative economy strategy. +

    37 min
  4. The party is over... or is it? by Adrian Ellis (Reflections from The Three Bells)

    Apr 23 ·  Bonus

    The party is over... or is it? by Adrian Ellis (Reflections from The Three Bells)

    In this new episode of Reflections from The Three Bells, Adrian Ellis marks the 10th edition of AEA Consulting’s Cultural Infrastructure Index by asking what slowbalisation, geopolitical volatility, and changing public expectations mean for the future of cultural infrastructure. External references:  AEA Consulting’s 2025 Cultural Infrastructure Index (10th edition)AEA Consulting’s Cultural Infrastructure Index dashboardIMF on slowbalisationAbout our contributor:Adrian Ellis is the founder of AEA Consulting (1990) and the Global Cultural Districts Network (2013). He has worked in senior management and as a board member in both museums and the performing arts and as a strategy consultant to leading clients in the cultural, public, and business sectors around the world. +

    19 min
  5. S6E4: Tiny apertures of opportunity... Gus Casely-Hayford, Director, V&A East

    Apr 9

    S6E4: Tiny apertures of opportunity... Gus Casely-Hayford, Director, V&A East

    Ahead of the opening of V&A East on 18 April 2026, Adrian Ellis speaks with its Director, Gus Casely-Hayford, about involving young people in shaping the institution, widening access, and creating the kinds of transformative opportunities that can change futures. External references: V&A East: https://www.vam.ac.uk/east/V&A East Storehouse: https://www.vam.ac.uk/east/storehouse/visitYoung V&A: https://www.vam.ac.uk/young/The Music Is Black: A British Story: https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/the-music-is-black-a-british-storyOrder an Object: https://www.vam.ac.uk/info/order-an-objectGus Casely-Hayford is Director of V&A East. A curator and cultural historian, he joined the V&A in March 2020. He writes, lectures, and broadcasts widely on culture, and was previously Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art. +

    41 min
  6. Letters of support… by Stephanie Fortunato (Reflections from The Three Bells)

    Mar 26 ·  Bonus

    Letters of support… by Stephanie Fortunato (Reflections from The Three Bells)

    In this latest Reflections, Stephanie Fortunato draws on her experience reviewing letters of support as part of California Arts Council’s process to select new cultural districts for its state program, reflecting on what those letters reveal about community pride, local identity, and the futures people hope to build through cultural districting. About our Contributor Stephanie Fortunato is Director of Special Projects of the Global Cultural Districts Network. Her expertise sits at the intersection of cultural planning and urban development, collaborating with local communities on creating policies and partnerships to strengthen neighbourhoods and transform public spaces. +

    11 min
  7. S6E3: Teaching them to fish... Alex Costas, Head of Recruitment, Onboarding & Relationship Management, Bloomberg Connects

    Mar 12

    S6E3: Teaching them to fish... Alex Costas, Head of Recruitment, Onboarding & Relationship Management, Bloomberg Connects

    Our host, Hilary Knight, speaks with Alex Costas of Bloomberg Connects about the nonprofit’s history and mission – and how its free platform and dedicated support team help institutions and districts worldwide tell their own stories through thoughtful digital storytelling. External references:  Bloomberg Connects: https://www.bloombergconnects.org/ Bloomberg Philanthropies Arts: https://www.bloomberg.org/arts/ Denver Art Museum on Bloomberg Connects: https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/bloomberg-connects Museo de Arte Popular: https://www.map.cdmx.gob.mx/ Portland Japanese Garden: https://japanesegarden.org/visitvirtually/ About our guest:Alex Costas is the Global Head Recruitment, Onboarding & Relationship Management at Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app that offers digital guides to hundreds of cultural organizations around the world. Prior to joining Bloomberg Connects, Alex worked with the City of New York at the New York City Economic Development Corporation and NYC Tourism & Conventions encouraging businesses and tourists to choose NYC. Alex is a native New Yorker, a resident of Brooklyn. +

    38 min
  8. Luxury brands and culture predictions… by Hilary Knight (Reflections from The Three Bells)

    Feb 26 ·  Bonus

    Luxury brands and culture predictions… by Hilary Knight (Reflections from The Three Bells)

    In her first Reflections of Season 6, Hilary Knight explores the idea that luxury brands could replace museums as sites of cultural trust for Gen Z – and why she doesn’t buy it. External Links ‘Enshittification’ is coming for absolutely everything – FT article by Cory Doctorow Brand Valued: How socially valued brands hold the key to a sustainable future and business success– by Guy Champniss & Fernando Rodés VilàAbout our Contributor Hilary Knight Hilary Knight  is a creative leader with over 20 years of experience driving strategy, innovation, and digital transformation for cultural organisations worldwide. Currently a Senior Associate with AEA Consulting, she has held senior roles at the BBC, Channel 4, Film4, and Tate, where she led pioneering initiatives that embedded digital thinking and expanded audiences. +

    8 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Hello and welcome to The Three Bells – a podcast in which we explore the challenges and opportunities waiting for us at the intersection of culture and urbanism…

Information

  • Creator
    Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN)
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2020 AEA Consulting LLC
  • Show Website
    The Three Bells

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