Another day, another funding cut – in the age of austerity, it can feel as if the arts are in desperate need of a guardian angel.

The demands are piling up: arts organisations need to be more inclusive, more affordable and more participative. They need to contribute to health, well-being and social change. They need to produce great art. They need to be less reliant on public subsidy by being more commercial. 

How can you make all of these things fit together?

We’re hosting a day of open debates here at the Old Fire Station, as part of Oxford Marmalade 2015. Sir Peter Bazalgette (Chair of Arts Council England), Hedley Swain (Area Director South East at Arts Council England) and Jane Tarr (Director Organisational Resilience and Environmental Sustainability and North) will join artists, arts managers and professionals to explore how the arts, business and social change meet.

Interested? We’re inviting arts professionals from across the UK to join in the discussion, which takes place on Thursday 16 April, 10.00 – 17.00. Just register here to let us know you’re coming.

What is Marmalade?

Marmalade is the event formerly known as OxfordJam. Running parallel with the Skoll World Forum, Marmalade is coordinated by inspired individuals and independent organisations, offering everyone the chance to create and attend events focused on social change.

We’ll keep you up to date with what’s happening, and the other events which will take place as part of the Arts Collection. If you’d like to create your own event and be part of Marmalade, let us know.

See you in April!