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.

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, 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, will share her thoughts and experience on change, challenge and leadership.
• Amina Shah, National Librarian and Chief Executive of the National Library of Scotland, will talk about the library transformed – how to imagine the next chapter in an age of uncertainty.

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, some of which will benefit from input from Day 1 speakers on their processes and practice for transformational change.

Breakout 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 Creative Carbon Scotland’s experience with NatureScot, Sniffer, Climate Ready Clyde and others
• The arts and culture’s influencing role
• Place-based working and the arts/culture

Photo credit: Unsplash