SPRINGBOARD 2025: Two Day Assembly

We are all facing enormous upheaval caused by the climate crisis, the economic and funding environment, the long-tail effects of the pandemic and more. We need to know how to find our way in this new world. That’s why we’ve chosen transformational change as our theme for SPRINGBOARD 2025. We’ll focus on how all of society will need to reimagine itself in the face of the climate change we are experiencing, and how the arts and cultural sector, as well as working on its own transformation, can contribute to the transformation of wider society.

Who’s it for?

SPRINGBOARD is for cultural and climate organisations, freelance creatives and climate champions, funders, local and national government, the public, and private and third sectors.

Watch parties

To reduce travel emissions for participants, we’re holding this event online, but because we know how useful it is to get together in a room, we’re also experimenting with watch parties around Scotland.

Local hosts will welcome people in person on the assembly’s first day (5 March) to watch together, to discuss what they’ve heard, particularly in relation to their locality, and to network.

Outline programme

Day 1: Wednesday 5 March

10.15am-5.30pm including breaks

The first day will focus on keynote speakers and inspiration. We’ll watch, listen and learn together online or at local watch parties.

Speakers will include:

Rebecca Ford, Director of the International Futures Forum, who will introduce the Three Horizons, a framework for structuring our thinking about the future to unlock transformative innovation.

Leonie Bell, Director of V&A Dundee, who will share her thoughts and experience on change, challenge and leadership that catalyses positive outcomes.

Amina Shah, National Librarian and Chief Executive of the National Library of Scotland, who will talk about the library transformed – how to imagine the next chapter in an age of uncertainty.

Throughout the day there will be artistic contributions by Ink Asher Hemp, a freelance multidisciplinary artist, facilitator and advocate. Attendees will have time for networking in small groups online or at watch parties and breaks for private reflection away from your screen.

Day 2: Thursday 6 March

10am-5pm including breaks

For the second day, we will work entirely online. We’ll be in breakout rooms for interactive workshops, panels and discussions.

Our day 2 speakers include Prof Dave Reay, Chair in Carbon Management & Education at the University of Edinburgh and Co-chair of Scotland’s Just Transition Commission; Anne Marte Bergseng, Programme Manager at ClimateXChange; Daniel Bulawa, Policy and Delivery Manager of the People and Place Programme at Transport Scotland; and many more!

The sessions will be topic based and last for 1.5-2 hours. Some will be limited in numbers to allow full participation, but we may repeat them if there is demand.

Topics will include:

• Future thinking frameworks
• Evaluating the impact of arts-based interventions in climate change work
• Working with artists in climate change projects – learning from our experience with NatureScot, Sniffer, Climate Ready Clyde and others
• The arts and culture’s influencing role
• Place-based working and the arts/culture

Ticket prices

Price per person

• Culture / climate change freelancer – £12
• Scottish arts sector employee – £15
• Scottish third sector non-arts – £30
• Funding organisation – £30
• Arts sector beyond Scotland – £35
• Scottish public / academic sectors – £40
• Private sector – £75