OUR MISSION AND VALUES
We will bring together local, University and global cultural communities in a physical and digital cultural offer, powered by the University of Oxford’s research. Based in the performance and public spaces in the new Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, we will promote broad engagement with the riches of the humanities by working with outstanding artists, writers and thinkers from around the world to create and present world-class arts and culture.
Innovative and diverse, our programmes will be delivered in collaboration with university, local, national and international partners.
People
We bring people together in a diverse, inclusive, fair and open environment that allows them and their creativity to flourish
Shaping the Future
2024 - 2030
Place
We are rooted in our local region and connected globally. We are committed to contributing responsibly and creatively to environmental sustainability
Ideas
We are committed to the development, sharing and understanding of new ideas
Experiment
We enable people to pursue their curiosity, to explore and to experiment
Strategy For The Cultural Programme
This document sets out the vision and strategic framework for the inaugural cultural programme in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities. This is significant moment for Oxford with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the cultural and artistic life of the University, the city and beyond. Culture has the power to bring people and communities together and has a key role to play in supporting Oxford to be an incredible place to live, work, visit and study.
The Cultural Programme will be based in the Schwarzman Centre, a space where world leading research will take place alongside arts and cultural activity of the highest quality, transforming the way the University teaches, researches, and shares the humanities.
We will connect the artists, creatives, and audiences of tomorrow through a strong, diverse and ambitious programme of live and digital events inspired by -and inspiring - Oxford research. At the heart of the vision for the new building is a suite of performance spaces,
including a world-class concert hall, a theatre, a cinema, an exhibition space, and an experimental black box space for immersive work. Together, these facilities will enrich Oxford’s thriving cultural landscape and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
Partnerships and collaborations will be fundamental to our approach in creating an ideas and innovation led programme that places audiences at the centre. Our programme has been inspired and shaped by the passion, imagination and commitment of academics, creatives, students, and our community. We hope it will stimulate creative potential, embrace diversity, and promote innovative collaborations between the University and our many communities.
This is just the start. We are committed to ensuring everyone, from all backgrounds, can participate in the joy and power of the arts. We look forward to sharing and shaping our plans with you.
Our operating principles:
to seek out great artists and thinkers wherever they are to confront injustice
OUR PRIORITIES 2024 – 2030
Ideas and innovation at the heart
By 2030 we will…
• Seed and incubate innovative new cultural work which integrates deep collaborations with researchers
• Deliver year-round live & digital public cultural programming engaging targeted numbers of audiences, participants and local cultural partners
• Regularly deliver high profile, reputation-defining, cultural events
• Host world-leading artists & creatives
• Play an international leadership role in key areas of artistic & research focus
• Be at the heart of strong and diverse networks of partners and collaborators, locally and globally
Everyone is welcome
By 2030 we will…
• Bring people into the Schwarzman Centre for memorable cultural experiences
• Demonstrate excellent care for the people with whom we are engaging
• Deeply embed collaboration with researchers across the University, with a particular focus on the humanities
• Build community relationships by actively embedding in local networks
• Collaborate with artists and creatives
• Focus particularly on working with and supporting the development of Young People aged or 16-30, including students
Local roots, global reach
By 2030 we will…
• Have a clear brand personality, shaped by our vision and audience strategy
• Have built strong awareness and understanding of our brand
• Have large, growing and diverse local audiences
• Engage audiences worldwide through digital channels
Financial Sustainability
By 2030 we will…
• Have a diverse and resilient range of both endowed and revenue income streams
• Steward relationships with donors at many levels
• Have integrated fundraising into our partnership models
• Optimise revenue from ticket sales and secondary spend
• Optimise revenue from deal structures with partners including visiting companies
• Contribute to optimising commercial income for the Schwarzman Centre
Healthy Operation
By 2030 we will…
• Have strong and clear governance and advice structures
• Have a balanced, stable and resilient financial model
• Be a diverse and skilled team that lives and breathes the values and purpose and operates effectively in cultural sector, University and local environments
• Work effectively within the University of Oxford
• Have policies processes and systems which are clear, efficient and effective
• Have appropriate workplace facilities
to be a space for open debate to enable learning, relearning and unlearning to work in partnership
• Provide a home to resident ensembles in the Schwarzman Centre as part of a wider University approach to cultural partnerships
• Integrate creative learning into the heart of the programme, working in close collaboration with the Humanities Faculties
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
