Engaging discussions on the city's arts and heritage took place at the Question Time event. Chair Stephen Boyce was on the panel as well as fellow Trustee Daniel Crow.
 
Hundreds turned out from Southampton’s arts and heritage community for the SHAPe event on 15 November at the Solent Conference Centre. Following some informal networking at the Solent Showcase gallery with a chance to view the stunning Lighten UP exhibition there, the expert panel gathered to answer audience questions on the future of arts and heritage in Southampton.
 
The Chair of SHAPe Stephen Foster welcomed guests. The discussion was Chaired by Susannah Simons, Project Executive for the BBC’s engagement with the London 2012 Festival and Cultural Olympiad. Our Trustees were joined on the panel by Kate Anderson, Executive Director of The Nuffield Theatre, Gary Momber, Director of the Hampshire & Wight Trust for Maritime Archeology and Councillor Warwick Payne.
 
The discussion lasted a little over an hour. The audience asked: How do we join up audiences? Does Southampton need a festival? What plans are in place to sustain partnerships with independent artists? What plans are there to open empty city properties to arts and heritage projects? How do we encourage new audiences, such as young people? And many more thought-provoking questions.
 
Overall it was a really interesting, informative event attended by those at the heart of Southampton’s cultural sector, who would like to see developments in the future. All are very much looking forward to the annual SHAPe conference planned for Spring 2013.