The Inquiry into the Civic Role of Arts Organisations was launched in 2016 by Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (CGF) UK Branch. It seeks to increase awareness of the civic role that arts organisations play, and could play, nationally and locally, and to define and share the best ‘next practice’.

The inquiry was delivered in a consultative way, with 437 people participating in a variety of ways including an Advisory Panel, the International Reference Group, workshops, online survey, conferences.

This report marks the end of Phase 1 of the Inquiry, and sets out proposals for Phase 2. It is primarily aimed at arts organisations, but also at funders and policy makers.

Part 1 contains seven chapters, which include: ‘Defining the territory’; ‘Back to the future’; ‘Describing the civic role of arts organisations’; ‘Challenges and opportunities; ‘Summary of findings and proposals’. Part 2 contains 20 case studies of arts organisations, from the UK and around the world, identified by experts as demonstrating inspiring practice. They are part of a bank of 40 case studies published on CGF’s website to coincide with the publication of this report.

For further information included in this Repository, please see:
What Happens Next? Inquiry into the civic role of arts organisations. Phase 2