Cultural Capital Exchange Symposium 2025

This one-day symposium examines the case for culture as the catalyst for social and economic regeneration that contributes to the transformation of places to be more attractive to live, work, visit, and invest. Also exploring how Year of Culture could drive growth, foster innovation, create a lasting legacy and benefits including promoting social cohesion, civic pride and environmental sustainability.

The day will include contributions from creative practitioners, cultural leaders, programme directors, politicians, key decision makers and sector organisations that combine to bring the creative vision to life.

Burnley Year of Culture 2027 will create projects that engage and inspire local people, creating new public art, theatre, film, music, literature, digital and more. It will be the start of a new chapter for Burnley, creating a legacy of projects and programmes that take us into an exciting future.

The Cultural Capital Exchange Symposium on 31st October 2025 will be hosted and co-developed with broadcaster Nihal Arthanayake who will unlock the creative inspiration from the region and beyond to tell the story of who makes culture and how they do it.

Hear from individuals and organisations that have delivered similar initiatives in other places including Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford City of Culture 2025, as well as those involved in delivering other mega-cultural events that have facilitated similar step change in places via a culture-led approach.

Other speakers include Liz Pugh, Co-Founder and Creative Producer of Walk the Plank, Simon Cronshaw, Co-Founder of Remix Summits and multi-disciplinary artist and fashion designer Aitor Throup. The full speaker list will be announced.

View the Full Agenda and Book your tickets on Eventbrite

Find out more about the Burnley Year of Culture on the Burnley Leisure and Culture website and their Facebook page.