Composing of three days of activity, the conference, will consider perspectives from across arts, culture and higher education to share examples of best practice which harness the potential of cross-sector collaboration between artists, cultural organisations and higher education institutions.

Thursday (21 Mar) is the Arts and Culture Sector Leaders Symposium. This day will see national strategic leads from universities and cultural organisations coming together to discuss best practice in cross sector partnerships.

Friday (22 Mar) will play host to the Arts and Culture Youth Conference, where young people will discover what careers and progression routes are available, as well as consider current sector gaps including the call for more diversity in the arts sector nationally.

On Saturday (23 Mar) local creatives, artists and creative practitioners students will link up, test ideas and share experiences of inter and cross-sector collaboration. There will also be opportunities to access information clinics through TestBeds’ Artists Enterprise Zone.

Executive Dean of Academic Partnerships Prof Helen Bailey said: “Cross-sector partnership has direct benefits for both local arts and creative organisations and universities. While universities have the spaces, resources, partnerships and access to cross-sector knowledge and research to support and develop the local creative ecology, creative organisations can support universities to enhance teaching, research and knowledge exchange, as well connect to local communities, people and places.”

Find out more about the conference here.