For this week's live chat, the question is simple: has 2011 been a good or bad year for our arts and heritage communities? Going by the headlines, the answer is anything but clear. From funding cuts, closures and resignations on the one hand to the doubling of admissions at our national museums on the other, the past 12 months have been a rollercoaster of highs and lows.
But if the culture sector is anything, it's resourceful and innovative. Biting cuts have forced the creative industries to do much more with a lot less – and on the evidence of our recent Christmas and touring online chats, there are some encouraging success stories despite the doom and gloom hanging over the sector.
In an effort to secure the arts' long-term future, constructive internships and cultural leadership programmes are nurturing tomorrow's talent, making the future that bit brighter – but what have they got to work with?
A year of cuts and closures, or one of innovation, focus and change?
Join us on Friday 16 December at noon as we attempt to round up the year for the culture, heritage and arts community and look ahead to what 2012 has in store.
Panel
Dany Louise, strategic arts facilitator and writer
Dany writes about the visual arts and cultural policy for several national publications. She is author of research reports Ladders of Development and A Fair Share? commissioned by a-n. A freelancer, she works strategically with mid-career artists and arts organisations and is often invited to speak at public events. She has also worked with ACE and is researching a PhD on Biennials of Art. @danylouise
Kathleen Alder, founder and managing director, WildKat PR
Before starting WildKat PR in 2007, Kathleen worked in the music industry for many years, with El Sistema in Venezuela, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra in Berlin, TVT Europe and as A&R project coordinator at Decca, Universal Music London. She is a fellow of the RSA and speaks regularly on panels and at conferences. @WildKatPR
Andrew Davidson, senior comms officer, Creative & Cultural Skills
Andrew is senior communications officer at Creative & Cultural Skills – the sector skills council which aims to enable the UK's creative communities to reach their economic potential through skills and training. He previously worked for the Department for Education & Skills, the Institution of Civil Engineers and Hobsbawm Macaulay Communications. @CCSkillsUK
Chris Sharratt, editor, Creative Times
Chris is a freelance writer and the editor of Creative Times, the online magazine by and for people working in the creative sector. @CREATIVE_Times @chrissharratt
Neil Mackinnon, head of external affairs, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society
Neil has been head of external affairs for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society since 2009. He has a background in political communications and has worked in Scottish Parliament. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world's largest arts festival with over 2,500 shows each year and with an audience of over two million. @nmackinnon @edfringe
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