In collaboration with The Cumnock Tryst and Boswell Book Festival, The Cumnock Hour: a Genesis Conversation took place in the Dumfries Arms Hotel, Cumnock, on 4 October and explored the role the arts can play in rural regeneration. 

Chaired by Iain Macwhirter (Journalist) and featuring a panel of James Knox (Chairman, Boswell Book Festival), John McAslan (Architect), Thursa Sanderson OBE (Chief Executive, Drake Music Scotland), Alistair Moffat (Writer and journalist), Andrew O’Hagan (Writer) and Gillian Walker (Composer).

Our panel discussed the importance of fostering local cultural identity in rural areas, the challenges of ensuring accessibility and inclusivity in the arts, and the need for sustainable funding models to support cultural festivals and initiatives.

Read the programme

On Tuesday 14 May the Almeida Theatre hosted the next Genesis Conversation: Playwriting Today: The Hard Questions.

The conversation was chaired by Almeida Artistic Director Rupert Goold, who was joined by panellists Dipo Baruwa-Etti (Writer, The Clinic), David Byrne (Artistic Director, Royal Court), Nadia Fall (Artistic Director, Theatre Royal Stratford East), James Graham (Writer, Ink) and Ava Pickett (Writer, 1536, winner of The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize 2024).

The panel discussed the uniqueness of writing for live performance, the impact of mentorship for both emerging and established writers, and playwrights’ integral need for community.

Read the programme

In partnership with the Jewish Literary Foundation, the Genesis Foundation hosted ‘The Art of Publishing’ at Kings Place, London.

Chaired by journalist Adam LeBor, the panel featured Sabhbh Curran (Agent, Curtis Brown), Adam Freudenheim (Publisher & Managing Director, Pushkin Press), Caroline Moorehead (Biographer) and Karen E H Skinazi (Columnist & Academic).

Our panel explored the hunger for the best stories, transmitting a writer’s passion to a reader, and publishing as an art of negotiation.

Live at Bristol Old Vic, our panel debunked the myth of new writing as “risk”, debated the term “new writing” itself, and discussed new models to substitute the current lack of literary departments within theatres, particularly in the southwest.

Chaired by Bristol Old Vic’s Artistic Director Nancy Medina and moderated by its New Work Producer Ben Atterbury, the panel featured Miriam Battye (Writer), Juliet Gilkes Romero (Writer), George Turvey (Co-founder, Papatango Theatre Company).

Read The Stage’s overview of the discussion

Read Juliet Gilkes Romero in The Stage on how theatre’s leadership models must support new writing

Hear audience feedback

In partnership with the National Theatre, the Genesis Foundation hosted ‘The Future of British Musical Theatre’ in the theatre’s Cottesloe Room.

Panellists were Robert Hastie (Artistic Director, Sheffield Theatres), Maimuna Memon (writer, composer, musician and actor) and Tali Pelman (Group Creative Managing Director, Stage Entertainment), chaired by the National’s Artistic Director and CEO Rufus Norris.

Our panel discussed the current issues surrounding funding UK musical theatre projects, how America takes the art form more seriously and why musical librettos should be included in the national curriculum.

Read The Stage’s overview of the discussion

Read Rob Hastie in The Stage on why musicals should be included in the national curriculum

Live at Greater London Authority, our panel discussed ‘PEOPLE MAKE PLACES’: exploring the role of art and culture in placemaking and regeneration.

With Sanaz Amidi (Chief Executive, Rosetta Arts), Dr Gus Casely-Hayford OBE (Director, V&A East), Nadia Fall, (Artistic Director, Stratford East), Amanda Parker (Vice Chair, Mayor’s Culture Leadership Board) and East London based artist Bob and Roberta Smith OBE, and chaired by journalist Brenda Emmanus OBE, the discussion focused on the responsibility of artists and arts organisations in shaping a city.

In partnership with Bristol Old Vic, the Genesis Foundation hosted ‘Arts in a Time of Crisis’ in the theatre’s front-of-house ‘Courtyard’ space.

Panellists were Angie Bual (Creative Director and Joint CEO of Trigger), Shami Chakrabarti (human rights lawyer and Chair of The Gate theatre), Vanessa Kisuule (poet), Alan Lane (Artistic Director of Slung Low). Chaired by Tom Morris (Artistic Director of Bristol Old Vic from 2009-2022).

This Conversation was particularly relevant as it was held in the week following Arts Council England’s NPO funding announcement for the next three years.

Read The Stage’s piece on the discussion

Read Lyn Gardner’s piece on this conversation in The Stage

The first in the new series of Genesis Conversations was held at the Barbican, London, on 20 September 2022, and was available to attend both in person and online. The panel was chaired by Will Gompertz (Artistic Director, Barbican), in conversation with Sue Emmas (Associate Director, Genesis Network, Young Vic), Jack Gamble (Director and CEO, Public Campaign for the Arts), Pip Jamieson (Founder and CEO, The Dots), Shanice Mears (Head of Talent, The Elephant Room), Jamie Njoku-Goodwin (Chief Executive, UK Music), & Audrey Solvar (Founder, Black Creators Matter). 

The panel debated ‘Networks’: the benefits, the challenges, and how to set up and sustain your own.