At the beginning of 2016, The Culture Capital Exchange launched a new series of Ideas Labs designed to bring member researchers together around topics of mutual concern. Ageing and the Arts was the first to be held in the series. The Ideas lab was developed in collaboration with the Drama Department at Queen Mary and Split Britches, and explored the concept of ageing within the Cultural and Creative Industries.

Within the sector, retention of workers is eminent, with workers over 50 routinely overlooked for promotion despite possessing the knowledge and experience needed to fill the leadership skills gaps. The Ideas Lab investigated this phenomenon and its impacts, strategies that could redesign work for elders in the creative sectors and the constituents to effect change. The session allowed those in attendance to explore possibilities around working together further on the topic and concluded with a pledge to make change through invigorating adaptations in the sector, ‘quiet interventions’ and collaborations.

Contributors/Speakers: Professor Lois Weaver, Split Britches and Drama Department, Queen Mary University London.

Attendees:
Melissa Bliss (Queen Mary University of London)
Ghislaine Boddington (BDS Creative)
Linda Drew (Ravensbourne)
Tracy Gentles (In Company)
Professor Gerry Hanlon (Queen Mary University of London)
Professor Jen Harvie (Queen Mary University of London)
Dr Janelle Jones (Queen Mary University of London)
Professor Ann Light (University of Sussex)
Hannah Maxwell (In Company)
Dr Caoimhe McAvinchey (Queen Mary University of London)
Georgina Potts (The Culture Capital Exchange)
Adele Roberts-Hunt (Kingston University London)
Gini Simpson (Consultant)
Rosie Stanbury (Wellcome Trust)
Dr Kate Wakeling (Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance)
Professor Lois Weaver (Queen Mary University of London)
Evelyn Wilson (The Culture Capital Exchange)
Dr Hannah Zeilig (University of the Arts London)