This event is part of our Knowledge is Power series, where we explore data - how we can collect it, use it, and turn it into a tool to enhance our creative projects, improve evaluation, and strengthen funding applications.
Where?
University of Bradford
When?
Monday 16 June 2025
What time?
12.00 - 4.30 PM
How much?
FREE
(donations welcome)
Knowledge is Power: Power: How can cultural sector data be more people-centred?
The Centre for Cultural Value have been working with the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture evaluation team, alongside The Audience Agency, MyCake and Culture Commons, to explore the development of an ambitious data initiative for the UK.
As an essential component of the UK’s research infrastructure and knowledge base, the National Cultural Data Observatory (NCDO) has the potential to transform and join up public policies and sector strategies for the UK’s cultural and creative sectors. The project is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and Research England.
In our next Knowledge is Power event, you’ll have the opportunity to help shape the key elements and arguments for the Observatory, from the point of view of the creative and cultural sector. We want to hear from artists, creative freelancers, arts and culture organisations, academics and researchers, as well as those employed in arts and culture and public sector roles.
Join project co-lead Ben Walmsley (Dean of Cultural Engagement, University of Leeds), Clare Daněk (Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Leeds) and Stephen Miller (Chief Technology Officer, The Audience Agency) and their teams to:
- Feed into discussions on how this groundbreaking tool could better serve your needs and help demonstrate the impact and added value we know the arts and cultural sector can bring
- See first-hand the demonstrator model in action and learn more about the technical components, research approaches and cross-sector partnerships that underpin this work
- Share your perspective on the challenges you face in the current fragmented systems and ambitions for a more unified approach
- Meet with the project leads and sector peers in the region to explore the case study data available on Bradford and the wider area
Event Schedule
- 12 PM: Arrivals, lunch and networking
- 1 PM: Overview of the National Cultural Data Observatory project
- 2 PM: Local Demonstrator Evidence Sessions
See how the NCDO works using local data, and share your thoughts and perspectives on how the tool could support your work
In advance of the event, we invite you to consider the challenges you’ve faced in gathering and using data, whether qualitatively or quantitatively. There’ll be interactive sessions where you can share your experiences if you’re keen to do so.
If you need financial assistance to attend this event, please see the FAQ section at the bottom of this page.
Book your place
About the venue
Small Hall, Richmond Building at the University of Bradford
The Richmond Building is an accessible venue. There are multiple ways to reach the University of Bradford campus – find more information at bradford.ac.uk/about/visit
More about the NCDO
- Centre for Cultural Value – Making Data Work
- Centre for Cultural Value – Next steps in transforming cultural sector data
- The Audience Agency – A blueprint for a national cultural data observatory
- LinkedIn – NCDO: Towards a blueprint for a National Cultural Data Observatory
- LinkedIn – Shouting with one voice
About Knowledge is Power
Knowledge is Power is a series of events designed for artists, creative freelancers, and organisations looking to bridge the gap between creative practice, research, evaluation, and data.
Each session brings together sector professionals, academics, and policymakers to share insights on available data, how it’s being used, and strategies to effectively and resourcefully collect and apply your own. These events will help you develop and evaluate your creative projects, strengthen funding applications, and ensure your work aligns with the communities you engage with and the needs of the sector.
Rooted in Bradford and leveraging the opportunities that City of Culture brings, this series is designed to connect and empower individuals and organisations across the arts and culture sector. With an open but purposeful approach, it aims to strengthen sustainability, support growth, and create a clearer, more inclusive picture of impact, opportunity, and development.
FAQs
We offer bursaries of £50 for half-day development events such as this.
So that we can support as many artists as possible, please only request a bursary if this is something you need – for example, if you are freelance or required to take unpaid leave to participate in the activity.
To apply for this funding, please complete a Bursary & Access Fund form once you have booked a place at this event.
Yes, we can cover travel and any other access costs that may otherwise present a barrier to you being able to participate in this event. Access costs can include childcare and other caring costs; BSL, language and other interpretation costs; as well as access support workers, or any other access costs you might face.
To apply for this funding, please complete a Bursary & Access Fund form once you have booked a place at this event.
