The Three Bells

Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN)
  • 4.9 (9)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

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. When there are nine... by Stephanie Fortunato (Reflections from The Three Bells)

    JAN 29 · BONUS

    When there are nine... by Stephanie Fortunato (Reflections from The Three Bells)

    In this first Reflections of Season 6, Stephanie Fortunato looks back on the curatorial choices that shaped our 2025 season. Reflecting on a year that deliberately centred women and non-binary leaders, she considers what the data on gender inequality tells us, why progress cannot be taken for granted, and how storytelling can help expand our collective imagination of leadership, belonging, and cultural power. External references: The Reykjavík Index for Leadership: background and latest findings for the index referenced in the episode, measuring perceptions of women’s suitability for leadership across 23 sectors (including generational differences).Ruth Bader Ginsburg on “When there are nine”: Clip/source for the quote Stephanie references about representation on the US Supreme Court.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
  2. S6E1: Allowing a city to be the best version of itself... Noah Horowitz, CEO, Art Basel

    JAN 15

    S6E1: Allowing a city to be the best version of itself... Noah Horowitz, CEO, Art Basel

    In the first episode of Season 6, Adrian Ellis speaks with Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel, about how art fairs shape cities and cultural ecosystems. Their conversation explores the evolving role of Art Basel as a cultural platform operating at the intersection of culture, capital, and place – and what that means for the cities that host them. External references: Art Basel: Global art fair platform founded in Basel in 1970, with editions in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, Paris, and Qatar.MCH Group: Swiss-based live marketing and events company and parent company of Art Basel.UBS & Art Basel – The Art Market Report: Annual research report referenced in the discussion of market dynamics and collecting trends.Art Basel Paris: Art Basel’s Paris edition, held at the Grand Palais.Art Basel Qatar: Newly announced Art Basel edition, launching in Doha, Qatar, 5-7 February 2026.About our guest:Noah Horowitz, is CEO of Art Basel. Previously Director of Americas for Art Basel, he has also held leadership roles at Sotheby’s and The Armory Show. Trained as an art historian, his work sits at the intersection of the art market, cultural institutions, and urban life. +

    40 min
  3. A tiny pink hat... by Stephanie Fortunato (Reflections from The Three Bells)

    12/04/2025 · BONUS

    A tiny pink hat... by Stephanie Fortunato (Reflections from The Three Bells)

    In this last Reflections from The Three Bells of our 2025 season, a mural becomes the starting point for a deeply personal exploration of the quiet ways individual stories slip into collective narrative. Through the story of a tiny knit hat, Stephanie Fortunato reflects on Providence as an adopted home, the threads that bind people to place, and the communities we call home. External Links AS220, Providence: independent arts organisation in Providence.PVDFest: Providence’s annual citywide arts festival.The Avenue Concept: Providence-based nonprofit public art organisation responsible for coordinating the mural installation.Shey Rivera Ríos – Artist who created the mural featured in the episode.Amber Art & Design – Artist and fabrication collective that installed the mural using parachute cloth.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
  4. S5E12: Spectacle and placemaking of art… Charlotte Burns, Founder, Studio Burns

    11/20/2025

    S5E12: Spectacle and placemaking of art… Charlotte Burns, Founder, Studio Burns

    Adrian Ellis speaks with Charlotte Burns, Founder of Studio Burns, about how the art world constructs its stories – and what happens when data complicates them. From representation and market dynamics to institutional culture, they explore how research can surface patterns that would otherwise remain invisible and help inform future practice. External references:  Studio Burns – Independent editorial and research studio founded by Charlotte Burns, producing investigative journalism, data-driven projects, and podcasts about the art world. The Burns Halperin Report – a longitudinal data study on representation in US museums and the international art market, co-created by Charlotte Burns and Julia Halperin.Artists Speak: The Anonymous Was A Woman Artist Survey – written by Charlotte Burns, Julia Halperin, and SMU DataArts, synthesising responses from over 1,200 women artists on careers, finances, family, and identity. Museums Moving Forward – study on workplace equity and organisational culture in US art museums, offering longitudinal data on pay, promotions, discrimination, and job satisfaction. Bio:Charlotte Burns, is a journalist, researcher and founder of Studio Burns and the co-founder of The Burns Halperin Report, the largest data study of its kind tracking representation in museums and the market. She is also the host and producer of the podcasts The Art World: What If…?!, and Hope & Dread and In Other Words with Schwartzman& in New York. +

    39 min
  5. AI is WEIRD, but artists challenge the algorithm... by Hilary Knight (Reflections from The Three Bells)

    11/06/2025 · BONUS

    AI is WEIRD, but artists challenge the algorithm... by Hilary Knight (Reflections from The Three Bells)

    In this episode of Reflections from The Three Bells, Hilary Knight explores how WEIRD bias shapes AI – and how artists are challenging algorithmic monoculture with radical acts of cultural imagination. External references:  “The Weirdest People in the World?” – Henrich, Heine, and Norenzayan (2010)Stephanie Dinkins – Not The Only OneAmeera Kawash – Tatreez GardenMinne Atairu – Artist using AI to speculate on looted Benin Bronzes and postcolonial memory.“Reimagining Looted Artworks Using AI” – Art in America Article profiling Minne Atairu’s work with AI and the politics of restitution.Nick Couldry & Ulises A. Mejias – The Costs of Connection A foundational text on data colonialism and digital power structures.Google AI Glossary for African Languages: Google’s initiative to improve AI access and inclusion across African languages.About the host: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. +

    10 min
  6. S5E11: From natural talent to creative economy… Andrea Dempster Chung, CoFounder & Executive Director, Kingston Creative

    10/23/2025

    S5E11: From natural talent to creative economy… Andrea Dempster Chung, CoFounder & Executive Director, Kingston Creative

    Our host, Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Andrea Dempster Chung, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Kingston Creative, about their long-term strategy to build a cultural district in downtown Kingston – and what it takes to turn natural talent into a thriving creative ecosystem. External references:  Kingston Creative – the official site of the initiative.Paint the City – a large-scale mural programme aimed at beautifying downtown Kingston and supporting local artists.Artwalk Kingston – monthly activation by Kingston Creative in downtown Kingston.CreateTech Caribbean – a regional programme launched by Kingston Creative to support creative entrepreneurs through training and access to finance.Climate Change Art Park – a public art project by Camille Chedda developed in collaboration with GCDN and Alserkal Advisory as part of A Feral Commons.About the guest:Andrea Dempster Chung, is an engineer, entrepreneur and executive. She is the Cofounder and Executive Director of Kingston Creative an organisation seeking to transform Downtown; the founder of Bookophilia, a bookstore that promotes Caribbean literature and the founder of Go Global Art, an art marketing platform which helps artists from developing countries gain access to global markets. +

    39 min
  7. Shakespeare in love... by Stephanie Fortunato (Reflections from The Three Bells)

    10/09/2025 · BONUS

    Shakespeare in love... by Stephanie Fortunato (Reflections from The Three Bells)

    The Three Bells

    10 min
  8. S5E10: A HUB for digital creativity... Rachel Parent, Directrice Générale, HUB Montréal

    09/25/2025

    S5E10: A HUB for digital creativity... Rachel Parent, Directrice Générale, HUB Montréal

    Hilary Knight speaks with Rachel Parent, Directrice Générale HUB Montréal about building a global creative network at the intersection of culture, tech, and business – and why keeping things human is more important than ever. External references:  HUB Montréal – Annual international fair and gathering for digital creativityMoment Factory – Montreal-based multimedia studio producing immersive experiences globallyLa Piscine – Montreal-based cultural and creative industries business acceleratorTeamLab – Tokyo-based art collective producing immersive art and running permanent museums in Japan and internationallyScience Museum Group – Referenced for museum innovation and variation in tech adoptionCleveland Museum of Art – Referenced for integrating tech such as AI and digital experiences into museum practiceCodaworx – A platform connecting artists and commissioners of public art, referenced as an international partnerABBA Voyage – The hologram-based immersive concert experience mentioned in the discussionThe Golden Key – Immersive AI-powered installation referenced by Rachel, co-presented at Milan Design Week and HUB MontréalAbout our guest:Rachel Parent, is Directrice Génréale of HUB Montréal, an international market event for digital creativity. She leads strategy and development for HUB’s global network of cultural, technological, and creative sector participants. Previously active in the music and screen industries, Rachel brings a cross-sectoral perspective to how innovation happens in cultural ecosystems. +

    43 min
See All (74)

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
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2020 AEA Consulting LLC
  • Show Website
    The Three Bells