Creative Place Shaping Together Symposium

Reflections on Creative Place Shaping Together international symposium by Lorraine Cox, Director of Creative Estuary.

British Council, Stratford, 20^th March 2025.

Since that sunny spring solstice day, we have reflected on the rich debate and feedback.

Place making sometimes sounds like a place is not a place until the clever people turn up. We are not making places that already exist. Instead, we work together with creatives, local authorities, and local people to shape places worth living in.

In this unpredictable economy we have two choices, hunker down and hang on, or grab opportunities to expand partnerships. The audience chose the latter, as they discussed how best to plan for culture, and develop sustainable partnerships. We aim to ensure culture and creativity are part of the local life.

We created an international stage to inspire the audience. We pulled in case studies from France, Rotterdam, and British Council, connecting their stories to our work in the Estuary. Debate ranged across professional boundaries, creative practice, challenges and opportunities.

These conversations reinforced a shared commitment to embedding culture and creativity into everyday life. To turn these ideas into action, we want:

planned affordable creative space and infrastructure in Local Plans
local creative ambition; to stand with local people, responsive and supportive of creativity
to support the role of artists and creatives in local regeneration
to build authentic relationships that turn into strong partnerships.

We’re open to new partnerships and conversations with Town Planners.

Please enjoy photos of the day below.