How art can help corporations: An interview with Artiq CEO Patrick McCrae Making the business case for ‘soft skills’ and ‘soft acquisitions’ is increasingly familiar in the corporate sector, especially as people turned so much to the arts throughout the pandemic. I caught up with Patrick McCrae, CEO of Artiq, who has been selling the tangible benefits of art in the workplace for over a decade. What [...]
The property developers building community through Gaia’s Garden Continuing my series of conversations on culture and commerce, I am diving deep into the social value of a project that sits in the heart of London: Gaia’s Garden. This “accessible and free community garden” on the edge of Smithfield Market and off the Holborn Viaduct is built by property developer Dominvs Group, who say [...]
60 Seconds With: Samantha Williams on the intersect of art and culture In this series of interviews I’ve been chatting with people who work at the intersect of culture and commerce in the City of London. Today I’m with Samantha Williams, who I met at the launch of PLAY project, a collaboration between the Guildhall Students, Culture Mile and Brookfield Properties. Williams, UK marketing manager for Brookfield [...]
Culture corner: What’s going on in the City this November? November 2, 2021 There are a wealth of events, gigs, historical talks, comedy shows and concerts throughout November. Get your culture fix now before the Christmas party season drinks up your time and take advantage of what the City has to offer on the days you’ve commuted into the office. Pop into the Barbican Library in your lunch [...]
October in the City: the cultural events not to miss October 7, 2021 How much fun is it being out and about dancing, being immersed in art and going to live music again? On 7 October Unpredictable Thursdays presents experimental music, free improvisation, film, and art sessions, which are well worth checking out. For something more classical, Fidelio Orchestra Cafe has introduced a new series of concerts featuring [...]
60 Seconds With… Fashion guru and placemaker Yasmin Jones-Henry September 14, 2021 Yasmin Jones-Henry works in the space where fashion meets finance, and where culture meets commerce. She has made her name describing the crucial role culture can play for the new generation of investors, and putting forward the business case for diversity in the fashion and culture sectors. Through her work with Futurecity, a ‘placemaking agency’, [...]
September culture in the City: The best of music and performance August 31, 2021 As you begin to return to your workplace, make sure your time in the City is packed with culture… Here’s our September roundup to keep you busy. City Music Foundation is hosting a concert on Tuesday 7 September at 7pm at the Great Hall, St Bartholomew’s Hospital. Helen Charlston will be performing a world premiere [...]
60 seconds with… Marquee TV founder Simon Walker August 16, 2021 Marquee TV has been streaming live art and culture for 3 years. We had a chat with founder Simon Walker about the business of streaming the arts and partnering with arts organisations to bring a global audience to their performances. You describe yourself as the ‘business guy’ in the team, developing the business model. Has [...]
School’s out: Time to be a tourist in your City of Culture August 3, 2021 Summer in the City is the best time to dive into the rich and diverse cultural scene. Here’s our monthly round-up of all the best goings on. The LSO have a series of Summer Shorts on Friday mornings including 6 August Ayanna Witter-Johnson and the LSO Percussion Ensemble in the Jerwood Hall, LSO St Luke’s [...]
Culture Corner: 60 seconds with… lobster artist Philip Colbert July 5, 2021 The arts are more than ever needing innovation, new income streams and new sustainable models to ensure a stable future. I talk with artist Philip Colbert, a man at the forefront of digital art. Born in Scotland and living and working in London, Colbert is often referred to as the “godson of Andy Warhol”. Colbert [...]