A Curious Tapestry: Crafting New Cultural Ecologies

In collaboration with the University of Huddersfield, the IOU Symposium returned on 15 July 2026 to consider what an effective cultural ecosystem can be.

We were delighted to welcome so many artists, practitioners, researchers and policymakers to the Birchcliffe Centre and IOU Hostel last week.

In the spirit of the day’s discussions, we’re taking time to gather the materials from the Symposium to share by way of a follow up. So look out for this in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, here is a link to the Symposium Programme which includes speaker and collaborator biographies.

Symposium Programme including Speaker and Collaborator Biographies 

IOU Symposium, 15/07/2026 A Curious Tapestry: Crafting New Cultural Ecologies

In contemporary times of increasing political polarity, public funding for the arts is under major review, different models of support for artists are being piloted and responsibilities of care for freelancers are being considered at government level.

In this context, we asked –

‘What are the characteristics and conditions we all need to thrive creatively’?

‘How can practices, strategies and policies be crafted with care and attention’?

We heard from a range of speakers on specific policy initiatives and how they could support the development of cultural ecosystems. Artists  shared how their practices have been influenced by the exploration of archives, institutional relationships and the passing of time. Arts organisations and practictioners considered their roles in place-based work and the wider community of artists and their needs.
Our Speakers and Collaborators included
  • Helen Marriage , Director, Artichoke & IOU Chair
  • Holly Sandiford – Artists, creative evaluator and freelance arts facilitator
  • Jacob Dafydd Ellis – Director for External Relations and Culture, Office of the Future Generations Commissioner
  • Kedisha Coakley – Artist
  • Kelly Loughlin – Artist
  • Paraic McQuaid – Lecturer in Cultural Policy and Arts Administration, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT)
  • Rowan Bailey – Professor in Culture, People and Place, Strategic Lead for Research in the Arts and Humanities, The University of Huddersfield
  • Sho Shibata – Director, Outdoor Arts UK
  • Stella Hall, Creative Producer & IOU Vice Chair
  • Stephen Dobson – Director, Centre for Cultural Value and Associate Professor in Creativity and Enterprise, School of Performance and Cultural Industries, University of Leeds
  • Stephen Miller – Chief Technology Officer, The Audience Agency
  • Dr Susan Croft – Director, Unfinished Histories
  • Tahir Shah – Culture, Heritage and Sport Policy Officer, West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Symposium Programme including Speaker and Collaborator Biographies 

IOU Symposium 2025 in collaboration with Calderdale Creates

Take a look back with Kelly Loughlin’s  Review of the event – What We Do in Public