Crossing Boundaries - BFI - British Film Institute

1.1 Three Thematic Areas
The role, function, development profile and thus value range of the venues are explored in this Study. We have identified three
thematic areas as critical means of structuring this process:
1.1.1 Creative Place-Making
How the venues contribute to the development of distinctive communities of engagement and how they influence the identity,
brand and confidence of the cities in which they are located. This relates to:
- Audience Development. For example, nurturing new and retaining existing audiences for cinema and other art
forms; providing challenging and inspiring programming; and building a committed community of engagement from a
diversity of user around the overall infrastructure offer of the venue.
- Culture-led Regeneration. For example, playing a prominent role in the repositioning of a city/district as an
‘anchor’ for wider regeneration programmes; providing a connecting and facilitating role between places,
communities and cultural providers; and instilling confidence and voice to otherwise marginalised individuals and
communities.
- Cultural Portfolio. For example, playing an active and progressive role alongside other cultural facilities and
programmes (such as theatres, museums and music venues); developing programming activities beyond the venue,
in different parts of the city/region; and providing for and expressing social and cultural change as the city
transforms.
- Civic Pride. For example, featured as an asset in the brands of cities; projected as an attractor for inward
investment and the in-migration/retention of ‘knowledge workers’; and valued by communities as a ‘feel good factor’
for their city.
Introduction 18
tom fleming / creative consultancy
UK Film Council
in association with
Arts Council England and the Arts Humanities Research Council