Bristol Cultural Development Partnership renamed as part of relaunch

Author
Naomi Miller
Acting Director | Bristol Ideas
22nd March 2021
Member roleInitiative member

Bristol Cultural Development Partnership has rebranded itself as Bristol Ideas and has launched it spring programme of activity.

Owned by Bristol City Council, Business West and the Universities of Bristol and the West of England, Bristol Ideas is a leading organisation for public debate and learning, bringing together arts and sciences to explore the key issues of our time.

“Ideas are, and always have been, at the heart of what we do. After an uncertain year we are ready once again to look to the future, and there can be no better time to bring our many projects together under a new name that fully reflects who we are and why we are here. Bristol Ideas gives a vital platform to a diverse range of voices from across the city and around the world: bringing people and organisations together to challenge the status quo and to promote the ideas and breakthrough thinking that can unlock positive change. We are proud of our work and happy to be sharing this new name with all our supporters,” comments Suzanne Rolt, Chair, Bristol Ideas.

The launch of Bristol Ideas is being marked with a specially-written poem by City Poet Caleb Parkin. 'Bring Your Ideas' celebrates 27 Bristol different Bristol ideas, inventions and innovators - the film can be watched at: https://youtu.be/ET59Nu_XNO8

As part of its Festival of Ideas programme, Bristol Ideas launches  a new series on the future of democracy and freedom of expression with sessions on new thinking, citizens’ assemblies, the future of liberalism and conservatism, women and freedom of speech, how to deal with strongmen leaders and debates with the candidates for both the city and WECA mayor. The full programme can be found here.

“Democracy is one of our greatest inventions and yet – in many parts of the world – is in crisis. We need to reinvent democracy here too. Our new series will ask: Do we need a written constitution? Should we have an English Parliament? Should we replace the House of Lords with an elected Senate? What should the future electoral system be? What would proper and full devolution mean? How can people feel more in control of their lives and their futures?” Andrew Kelly, Director, Bristol Ideas comments.

Also launched today by Bristol Ideas is Film2021, a citywide project celebrating Bristol’s many links to film, including the city’s designation as a UNESCO City of Film. 2021 marks the centenary of the death of William Friese-Greene, the Bristol-born moving-image pioneer and the 125th anniversary of the beginning of cinema in Britain and in Bristol.

Bristol Ideas’ new website is the home for all Bristol Ideas work, where audiences can watch or listen to previous events, discover new ideas and research in articles and blogs and book for future events.

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  • About the Festival

    Bristol Festival of Ideas is an initiative of Bristol Ideas - a body established and funded by Arts Council England, Bristol City Council and Business West.