Cultural Tides 2026

Cultural Tides 2026

Save the date and book now to secure your place at Cultural Tides 2026.

Date: 13th March 2026

Time: 09:30 - 16:45 - Networking until 18:00

Location: Hull Truck Theatre, Ferensway, Hull, HU2 8LB

Description:

Cultural Tides 2026: Shaping Hull’s Cultural Future

Hull stands at a pivotal moment in its cultural journey. Cultural Tides 2026 brings together local, national, and international voices to explore how heritage, technology, and global partnerships can shape the city’s future.

Morning: Celebrating International Connections

We begin by spotlighting Hull’s unique 46-year partnership with Freetown, Sierra Leone—a relationship rooted in solidarity and shared ambition. Mrs Nabeela Farida Tunis, Minister of Tourism & Cultural Affairs for Sierra Leone, will present insights into Sierra Leone’s cultural and tourism landscape. This sets the stage for a conversation led by Jane Lady Gibson, on how Hull can deepen international cultural collaborations and leverage its global ties for mutual benefit.

Heritage Panel: Regeneration Through Culture

The morning continues with a dynamic panel discussion on heritage-led regeneration with a backdrop to what is a very big year for Hull. 2026 sees the opening of Hull Maritime, a £27.4 million programme that celebrates Hull’s 800-year seafaring heritage, that has delivered the restoration of historic ships and sites, including the Hull Maritime Museum, Arctic Corsair, Spurn Lightship, Queens Gardens and Dock Office Chambers.

This panel discussion explores the role of heritage, not simply as bricks and mortar, but as a catalyst for placemaking and economic renewal, looking at examples from across the nation and the role of leading stakeholders. Contributors include:

• Clara Arokiasamy, President of ICOMOS, reflecting on intangible heritage and its role in community identity.

• National Lottery Heritage Fund.

• Tom Frater, Regional Director at Historic England.

• Gill Osgerby, Programme Director for Hull Maritime, sharing how the city’s maritime story is shaping its future.

Chaired by Chris Jackson, this conversation will explore how heritage projects can drive transformation beyond static investment, embedding culture at the heart of regeneration.

Afternoon: The Future of Culture – AI and Digital Innovation

As the cultural sector faces rapid technological change, our afternoon panel looks ahead to the impact of AI and digital technologies on creativity and cultural production. How can Hull embrace these opportunities while navigating the challenges? Speakers include:

• Tom Kiehl, UK Music.

• Owen Hopkin, Arts Council England.

• Professor Dhaval Thakker, University of Hull (Chair).

• Phil Benson, UK Black Tech.

Together, they will examine how innovation can empower artists, organisations, and communities—and what Hull needs to do now to be ready.

Breakout Sessions: Practical Insights and Collaboration

Delegates will then join interactive breakout sessions, covering:

1. Sustaining Creative Careers: Tools for wellbeing and resilience.

2. Navigating International Working: British Council guidance on global collaboration.

3. Colliderfest: A creative game exploring festival design.

4. Shaping the Culture and Heritage Landscape: Insights from national and regional bodies of Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Two Ridings.

5. Co-Designing Hull’s UNESCO Music City Plan and the next chapter for Hull’s music identity.

Closing Keynote: A National Perspective – To Be Confirmed

Cultural Tides 2026 is more than a conference—it’s a call to action. Together, we will explore how Hull can harness its heritage, embrace innovation, and strengthen international partnerships to create a vibrant, inclusive cultural future.

Info: International speaker – Freetown, Sierra Leone 

Mrs Nabeela Farida Tunis, The Minister Of Tourism & Cultural Affairs 

Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs – Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs 

Q&A with Jane Lady Gibson OBE

Info: Short introductions from panel speakers and open conversation on Heritage

Clara Arokiasamy, President, ICOMOS 
Heritage / intangible heritage 
ICOMOS-UK’s New President and Trustees – ICOMOS-UK 

The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Tom Frater, Regional Director (North-East and Yorkshire): Historic England
Gill Osgerby, Programme Director Hull Maritime – Hull Maritime Programme
Heritage and Hull Conversation Chaired: Chris Jackson, Director Regeneration

Info: Panel on impact of technology and AI on creativity and culture, and what are our opportunities – in conversation 

Tom Kiehl, UK Music, Owen Hopkin, Director, New Technologies & Innovation, Arts Council England, Professor Dhaval Thakker, University of Hull (Chair), Phil Benson, UK Black Tech, on board of Hull 2017 , Joe Duggan, Head of Communications & Digital, National Youth Theatre of Great Britain

Info: Facilitator: Rachel Meadows; Vocal Coach, Mental Health-Informed Artist Mentor & Consultant


Description:

In a creative world that often demands constant output, adaptability, and emotional labour, burnout can feel like an inevitable part of the job. But what if sustaining a creative career didn’t have to mean sacrificing your wellbeing?


In this interactive workshop, Vocal Coach and Mental Health-Informed Artist Mentor Rachel Meadows introduces simple, science-based tools to help artists and cultural teams navigate high-pressure environments with greater balance, focus, and resilience. Drawing on the principles of nervous-system regulation, participants will explore how stress affects creativity, performance, and collaboration — and learn practical strategies to stay grounded through the inevitable highs and lows of creative work.


Through guided reflection, practical exercises, and a short grounding practice, this session invites you to pause, reset, and reconnect with

Info: This session, led by the British Council, will equip artists and arts organisations with the knowledge and tools to approach international working with confidence. It will explore the practicalities of cross-border collaboration, including logistics, cultural sensitivities, funding, and legal considerations. Participants will gain insights into building sustainable international partnerships, understanding global arts ecosystems, and preparing for the challenges and opportunities of working abroad. The session will be particularly valuable for those new to international engagement or looking to expand their global reach in a strategic and informed way.

Info: Festivals come in all shapes, sizes, budgets and levels of controlled chaos , and even those of us who run them sometimes wonder how they work. We’ll use a bespoke card game (developed by ColliderFest and previously unleashed at UK Sci-Comm conferences) to explore what goes into designing a science themed festival programme.

Working in small teams, you’ll draw cards representing audiences, venues, budgets, partners, themes and wild-card “real-world curveballs” then race to build a festival concept that is exciting, coherent and (at least vaguely) deliverable.

Come for the game, stay for the insider insights and leave with new collaborators.

P.S. full disclosure we (ColliderFest) will be shamelessly collecting your brilliant ideas for shaping our future programme!

Info: This breakout session brings together national and regional funding bodies—Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, and Two Ridings—to share their strategic priorities and how these are delivered through funded programmes and initiatives. Attendees will gain insight into how each agency supports cultural and heritage development, the types of projects they invest in, and how their approaches align with broader place-based and sector-wide goals. The session will offer valuable guidance for organisations seeking funding, collaboration, or a deeper understanding of how national and regional strategies shape the cultural landscape.

Info: Led by the Hull Music Board, this breakout session will brin people together to collaboratively shape the delivery plan for Hull as a UNESCO Music City, ensuring alignment with the four Music Plan themes:

Inclusion
Stories
Infrastructure
Relationships

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Hull Truck Theatre, 50 Ferensway, Kingston upon Hull, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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