Arts & Culture

Association for Cultural Enterprises
  • 5.0 (1)
  • ARTS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

The podcast for the Cultural Sector. The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites. Presented by Tom Dawson from the Association for Cultural Enterprises. Sponsored by King & McGaw.

  1. Tony Butler OBE - Exec Director, Derby Museums

    FEB 6

    Tony Butler OBE - Exec Director, Derby Museums

    Tony Butler OBE is Executive Director of Derby Museums and a leading figure in the UK museums sector. In this wide-ranging interview he shares valuable insights on the topics such as: The recent DCMS funding announcement and the opportunities (and questions) it raisesHis verdict on the Hodge reportHow civic museums have had to adapt business models and what the future might holdThe draw of locally known artists and cultural figuresThe difference between entrepreneurialism and "magic thinking"A useful and enlightening listen for anyone involved in the sector, particularly those looking to balance purpose and community-delivery with the ever-changing financial context. The podcast for the Cultural Sector. The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites.  Host Tom Dawson is COO for the Association for Cultural Enterprises. https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/

    29 min
  2. Sarah McLeod OBE - CEO, Wentworth Woodhouse

    JAN 9

    Sarah McLeod OBE - CEO, Wentworth Woodhouse

    Wentworth Woodhouse is a vast heritage site in South Yorkshire. It requires restoration that could cost hundreds of millions of pounds and take decades. Located in an economically challenged part of the UK, it receives no public funding... and yet manages to survive and thrive. CEO Sarah McLeod - who grew up in a low income household and firmly believes arts and culture are for everyone - skilfully combines her passion, values and commercial nous to bring stability, progress and success. From investing in re-training heritage crafts, to creating revenue from recycling non-reusable materials from the restoration project itself... this is an organisation that grafts and innovates to stay afloat. And it always stays connected to its local community. In this insightful and inspirational chat with host Tom Dawson, there are vital lessons for anyone in the sector on getting purpose and profitability to work hand in hand to make cultural heritage accessible to all. The podcast for the Cultural Sector. The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites.  Host Tom Dawson is COO for the Association for Cultural Enterprises. https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/

    31 min
  3. Cultural Retail

    12/05/2025

    Cultural Retail

    Expert Panel: Catherine Pinkerton, Group Retail Manager, Amgueddfa Cymru | Museums Wales Sonia Solicari, Director & CEO, Museum of the Home Erin Thompson, Retail Manager, V&A Dundee The podcast for the Cultural Sector. The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites.  Host Tom Dawson is COO for the Association for Cultural Enterprises. https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/

    41 min
  4. The Crooked House

    11/07/2025

    The Crooked House

    Couple Alex and Oli fell in love with a 600 year old (and famously wonky) house in Lavenham, Suffolk. They bought it, they live in it... and they've transformed this former tea-room into a commercially-successful and ground-breaking heritage venue harnessing the power of story-telling and immersive experiences. In this episode, host Tom Dawson speaks to Alex and Oli about their story, the lessons they have learned and the unique strategies they use to leave visitors delighted and revenues healthy and growing. Alex and Oli will be guest speakers at the upcoming Cultural Enterprises Conference at ICC Birmingham 9-11 February 2026. Find out more and book your tickets here. To find out more about The Crooked House visit crookedhouselavenham.com The podcast for the Cultural Sector. The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites.  Host Tom Dawson is COO for the Association for Cultural Enterprises. https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/

    39 min
  5. AI in Culture

    10/03/2025

    AI in Culture

    Expert panel of guests: Jocelyn Burnham - Founder, AI for Culture Owen Hopkin - Director of New Technologies and Innovation, Arts Council England Duncan Mann - Founder and CEO, HoxtonAI Sean Waterman - Head of Intellectual Property, Naomi Korn Associates Key links: Art Council England's Responsible AI Practical Toolkit AI for Culture website HoxtonAI website Naomi Korn Associates website The podcast for the Cultural Sector. The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites.  Host Tom Dawson is COO for the Association for Cultural Enterprises. https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/

    47 min
  6. Jane Austen's House

    09/05/2025

    Jane Austen's House

    Joining host Tom Dawson are: Lizzie Dunford, Director, Jane Austen's House Museum Susan Rayner, Head of Commercial & Visitor Experience, Jane Austen's House Museum Director Lizzie Dunford and Head of Commercial & Visitor Experience Susan Rayner share how Jane Austen’s House, a small but world-famous museum in rural Hampshire, thrives as a self-funded organisation. They discuss the impact of the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth, their strategy for running at a surplus, and how retail is used not just for income but as a marker of visitor engagement. With a supportive team culture, creative programming, and a global fanbase, the museum delivers once-in-a-lifetime experiences for visitors while planning strategically for a sustainable future.   There are important lessons and helpful advice here for cultural and heritage venues of all sizes who would also love to grab opportunities with positivity and an innovative outlook. The podcast for the Cultural Sector. The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites.  Host Tom Dawson is COO for the Association for Cultural Enterprises. https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/

    40 min
  7. Building A Multiple Revenue Stream Model (with Richard Morsley, CEO, The Historic Dockyard Chatham)

    08/01/2025

    Building A Multiple Revenue Stream Model (with Richard Morsley, CEO, The Historic Dockyard Chatham)

    Richard Morsley is the CEO of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust. It's a vast site with a unique history. Although no longer in active service, this heritage site has managed to embrace its challenges (a vast footprint containing many unique buildings in need of preservation) and turned them into commercial opportunities.  For example, its iconic rope-making facility, which not only keeps a local craft alive... but also provides sellable products that end up everywhere from movie sets to gyms. In this episode Richard shares his advice on building a multi-revenue stream model, harnessing enterprise opportunities from property to filming locations and TV fan tours to partnerships with outside IP like Lego. The podcast for the Cultural Sector. The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites.  Host Tom Dawson is COO for the Association for Cultural Enterprises. https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/

    39 min
  8. Cornish Cultural Attractions

    07/04/2025

    Cornish Cultural Attractions

    With the school summer holidays just weeks away, parts of the country where visitor numbers are massively seasonal are preparing themselves for the most important time of their commercial year. Cornwall is remote and experiences vast seasonality in visitor numbers... yet it has a vibrant cultural enterprise scene and boasts some of the UK's most iconic attractions. Two Cornwall experts join host Tom Dawson to reveal lessons, insights and inspiration that will be useful to anyone involved in the operation, marketing and financial health of cultural venues readying themselves for the summer season. Guests: Zoë Curnow - formerly Executive Director Minack Theatre, now Head of Operations, St Michael's Mount Julia Twomlow - Creative Director and CEO, PK Porthcurno   The podcast for the Cultural Sector. The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites.  Host Tom Dawson is COO for the Association for Cultural Enterprises. https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/

    42 min
See All (29)

Trailer

About

The podcast for the Cultural Sector. The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites. Presented by Tom Dawson from the Association for Cultural Enterprises. Sponsored by King & McGaw.

Information

  • Creator
    Association for Cultural Enterprises
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Association for Cultural Enterprises
  • Show Website
    Arts & Culture

You Might Also Like