S2:E10 Curating a cultural powerhouse – Simon Cane in conversation with Stephanie Fortunato

The Three Bells

Summary
In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Simon Cane, Director of Cultural Engagement at University College of London (UCL) and Chair at Kings Cross Knowledge Quarter (KQ). Simon plays a large role in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’s development, East Bank, a new cultural and educational powerhouse composed of five organizations located in London, UK. Simon speaks about the benefits and challenges that come with having multiple organizations in one district. He also talks about the different programs and opportunities East Bank has created that promote inclusive growth, diversification within the sector and community engagement. He shares the importance of knowing the surrounding communities and their needs when creating these programs. Simon also shares his thoughts on the benefits of partnering with artists, and how they inspire empathy towards the challenges that local communities face, shifting the conversation and spreading awareness.

Simon later shares his thoughts on iconoclasm, specifically with relation to the ‘Just Stop Oil’ movement and how art can act as a lightning rod, bringing awareness to current issues. He speaks about the ambivalence he feels for movements such as this, and the balance that is necessary to navigate these difficult topics.

Wrapping up the episode with our new segment titled “Things That Keep Me up at Night”, Stephanie shares with listeners her feelings about the recent US midterm elections and her concern for democracy worldwide. She emphasizes the necessity of interdependence, and shares that she seeks out arts news that highlights communities rather than turning to the 24-hour news cycle to stay informed. Creatives are impacting local communities, and artists are needed to activate civic imagination to create meaningful change. She wraps up her monologue by sharing follow up thoughts sent via email by Simon Cane.

External Links

• Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
• East Bank
• University College London
• London College of Fashion
• Sadler’s Wells East
• BBC
• V&A Museum East
• H is for Hostile Environment - moving image piece by Edward Mingard and Keren Weitzberg that explores migration and asylum seeking in East London
• Simon was part of an international research project funded by AHRC a few years back on iconoclasms – which resulted in this book
• King’s Cross Knowledge Quarter
• Four scenarios for a world in disorder
• Just Stop Oil's Van Gogh soup stunt is the latest streak of radical art protest by women
• The great women's art bulletin: each fortnight Katy Hessel discusses an artwork made by a woman which speaks to today's news agenda
• 4 museum curators around Boston who are shaping what we see next, and how we see it
• LA Vanguardia: An L.A. Times project celebrating the Latino vanguard transforming our cultural landscape
• Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
• Iggy Pop
• Iggy Pop - Lust for Life

Bio:
Simon Cane is Director of Cultural Engagement at University College of London (UCL) and Chair at Kings Cross Knowledge Quarter (KQ). Whilst his background is rooted in material culture and its preservation he is equally interested in the power of knowledge and culture, their production, their sharing and their impact.