Help shape the cultural future of Aberdeen

14 September 2015

This week sees the launch of an early opportunity for residents to play a key role in developing a shared vision and series of priorities for the future development of arts and culture in Aberdeen.

Culture Aberdeen is the working title for the process of developing a Culture Plan for Aberdeen. As part of it, two groups - Citizens Circle and the Culture Network - will be supported by Aberdeen City Council to work closely together to look at the city's cultural offering and create a series of ideas and actions to celebrate and develop it further.

The Culture Network currently consists of more than fifteen cultural, academic and third sector organisations in Aberdeen and is in the process of creating a renewed plan for the future development of arts and culture.

Members of the Citizens Circle will work alongside the Network to develop this plan with members being offered a range of opportunities to experience different cultural activities across the city, including exhibitions, festivals and shows, as well as interactive events led by Service Design Agency, We are Snook.

Deputy Leader of Aberdeen City Council Councillor Marie Boulton said: "As a Council we are committed to the ongoing development of arts and culture in the city. The city already has an excellent cultural offer and the development of a long term Culture Plan for the city provides an opportunity to celebrate and promote what we have while also seeking to introduce new and exciting opportunities in the future.

"The Citizens Circle will provide a platform for city residents to become actively involved at an early stage in this process, helping shape and take forward a plan which will express and embody the culture and cultural aspirations of the people of Aberdeen."

Dr Duncan Cockburn, Director of Planning at Robert Gordon University, said: "Following the publication of our 'Creating a New North' report last year, the University is delighted to be working with partners from across the city to develop a long-term plan for arts and culture in the city. As we set out in this report, Aberdeen has a rich culture and a range of assets and by establishing a Citizens Circle we hope to help involve residents at an early stage in helping set out how we better celebrate what we have while considering where we can grow in the future."

We are Snook co-founder and Managing Director, Sarah Drummond said: "We're really proud to be part of this project. Snook focus on using co-design approaches to developing services and strategies that meet the needs of people. We're taking a co-designed and collaborative approach in developing a Culture Plan for Aberdeen and we're excited to work together with citizens on the future of the city."

The Citizens Circle will initially meet four times between October 2015 and March 2016, with the first meeting taking place on Thursday 15 October. All members will be expected to attend the majority of these meetings while also being supported to participate in cultural activities out with these meetings. Interested residents can register their interest to participate by visiting the website: www.cultureaberdeen.co.uk. For more information or if you have any questions please email curious@wearesnook.com or telephone 0141 258 7644.

The deadline for applications is Monday 05 October 2015.