Summary: In this episode, our host, Adrian Ellis, speaks with Marcus Desando, Director of the Prince Claus Fund. They discuss the role of arts and culture in today’s global socio-economic landscape, the importance of trust and mentorship for the sector, and how the Prince Claus Fund’s distinctive approach uplifts creative individuals committed to making meaningful changes in challenging contexts. Guest bio: Marcus Desando is the Director of The Prince Claus Fund. He was previously the CEO of The...
Sep 28, 2023•35 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Summary In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with David Cowan, Chief Public Spaces Officer at the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP). David expands on the work of DDP in developing public spaces that place the wishes and needs of Detroiters at the forefront. The two go on to discuss the numerous attributes that create a successful vibrant public space; from programming to financial models to public safety, DDP considers it all. External references Downtown Detroit Partnership: ht...
Aug 31, 2023•39 min•Season 3Ep. 9
In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Hilary Knight, Senior Consultant at AEA Consulting. The two focus on all things digital within the cultural sector; from engaging online and in-person audiences to the importance of developing digital strategies, Hilary shares her extensive knowledge on this crucial and fast-evolving field. External references: Hilary Knight’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilarycpknight/ The Tate: https://www.tate.org.uk/ The Tank Museum: https://tankmu...
Aug 03, 2023•41 min•Season 3Ep. 8
In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Paul Farber, Director and Co-Founder of Monument Lab. They discuss the origins of Monument Lab and the value of understanding, setting, and respecting boundaries for healthy collaboration. The two also discuss Monument Lab’s Pulling Together – an upcoming public art exhibition taking place from August 18th – September 18th, 2023 – which will bring forward new perspectives on Washington D.C.’s National Mall. External references: Monument L...
Jul 06, 2023•39 min•Season 3Ep. 7
In this episode of The Three Bells, our host, Criena Gehrke sits down with Senior Architect Naseema Asif and Studio Director Peter Emerson, from international design collective RIOS. The two share their insights on what goes into making a project successful, from incorporating evolution to exploring unanticipated angles and embracing a touch of 'messiness' throughout the process. External references: RIOS website The Music Center Plaza San Diego’s Balboa Park Houston’s Lynn Watt Square For Perfo...
Jun 08, 2023•42 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Short Summary: In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato talks to Helen Kearney and Kat Pegler, authors of the recently released report: Sustainable Development in Cultural Districts – commissioned by The City of London Corporation with the support of GCDN. References : Sustainable Development in Cultural Districts Report – a report commissioned by The City of London Corporation with the support of GCDN. The Quartier des spectacles – a cultural district in downtown Montreal and a member of G...
May 11, 2023•37 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Botswana-based curator, DJ, and arts journalist Basadi Dibeela. Basadi shares her cultural journey that spanned various disciplines, in various countries and continents. The two then talk about Basadi’s recently published article for GCDN, Opportunities for Cultural Planning in Sub-Saharan Africa: Lessons from attending the GCDN 2022 Convening . References: Opportunities for Cultural Planning in Sub-Saharan Africa: Lessons from attending the GCD...
Apr 13, 2023•39 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Summary: In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato sits down with Matthew Ché Kowal and Molly North, founders of Majestic Collaborations, a company that takes an experiential learning approach to community preparedness, specifically using music, art, and cultural festivals as an immersive classroom. The three discuss Majestic Collaborations’ Four Pillars model for successful events: Safety, Sustainability, Accessibility, and Community Engagement. References : Standing Rock Protest, 2016 – 20...
Mar 16, 2023•37 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Summary In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke talks with Elly Andriopoulou, Managing Director of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC). The two discuss the origins and evolution of SNFCC – as well as its early successes, stemming from a strong vision of enacting social impact and the ambition to be a cultural center for all. Elly speaks about the social impact of SNFCC and highlights the importance of building impact studies into planning processes, as those can put into pers...
Feb 16, 2023•40 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Summary: In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Vincent Chang, Deputy Chairman and Partner at Grimshaw Architects. Together, they explore the distinctive contribution of architecture. Having been with Grimshaw for over 20 years, Vincent also talks about his role managing the practice, and how vital it is for all to share a strong commitment to process – emphasizing the importance of understanding projects more holistically, as well as the butterfly effect that can happen by investing...
Jan 19, 2023•34 min•Season 3Ep. 1
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 a...
Nov 24, 2022•40 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Summary: In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with Ramon Marrades, urban economist, and Director of Placemaking Europe. The two dive right into deep discussion on the human condition and our definition of progress. Ramon shares insightful thoughts on what works when connecting people to their environment, emphasizing the importance of authenticity. They later explore creative bureaucracy, how to create a strong public policy, if strategies should shift post-covid, and much more. Ramon ...
Sep 29, 2022•40 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Summary: In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Jesper Koefoed-Melson, Founding Director of Kulturdistriktet, about activating unique spaces in Copenhagen with cultural events and festivals, fostering a vibrant community and enriching the city’s cultural landscape. Jesper discusses Kulturdistriktet unique framework, placing emphasis on the importance of trusting the artists and creating an open platform to all participants, as opposed more traditional approaches to developing cultura...
Sep 01, 2022•36 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Episode Summary: In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Rosie Dow, Manager of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Arts and Health at UCL. They talk about Rosie’s new role at UCL, her previous work leading “HARP”, the benefits of singing, as well as the essential role of networks in the field of arts and health. External References: The World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Arts & Health is based at University College London. Health Arts Research People (HARP) – a...
Aug 11, 2022•32 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Summary: In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Ilana Altman, Co-Executive Director, about The Bentway’s artful and playful approach to activating public spaces – as illustrated by their 2021 Playing in Public season and accompanying Play Provocations resource that encourages cities to become more play-friendly. They discuss the evolution of The Bentway as a platform for connected urban life, and the importance of programming public spaces to be not only responsive to the need...
May 19, 2022•55 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Summary: In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Linda C. Harrison, Director & CEO, about her bold leadership agenda to transform the Newark Museum of Art into a relational organisation that not merely sits in, but belongs to its community. They discuss the evolution in the Museum’s organisational culture instigated by Linda, both internally and externally – from a significant name change, to an ambitious real estate development plan that aims to diversify income as well as to sup...
Apr 28, 2022•55 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Summary: In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with Lisa Havilah, Chief Executive of the Powerhouse Museum in Australia. They unpack the visionary approach she has crafted over her career of shaping cultural institutions and precincts into culturally and commercially vibrant hubs. They discuss the imperative need to maintain your community engaged, to operate and program inclusively, as well as the significance of keeping an open-door policy, particularly towards emerging artists and cu...
Apr 07, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Summary: In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Vilma Jurkute, Executive Director of Alserkal in Dubai. They discuss how Alserkal’s commitment to facilitating open dialogue, mapping geographies of practice, and building a repository of knowledge for future generations have catalysed the development of a cultural ecosystem that goes beyond physical infrastructure. They also chat about the vital role cultural institutions play in social transformation and fostering a sense of place and...
Mar 17, 2022•47 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Summary: In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Lily Cabatu Weiss, Executive Director of the Dallas Arts District. They talk about the importance of collaboration amongst cultural leaders and institutions, especially in times of crisis. Lily shares how an ongoing dialogue between Dallas arts and cultural leaders enabled unprecedented resource-sharing, knowledge transfer, synergy, and increased support from all stakeholders – culminating with the We Are Dallas Arts initiative. ...
Feb 24, 2022•51 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Summary: In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Kingsley Jayasekera, former Director of Marketing and Customer Experience, at the West Kowloon Cultural District. They reflect on his near decade-long experience in Hong Kong and discuss the importance of cultivating arts audiences through creating holistic customer experiences – and using social media for outreach and engagement. After, Adrian is joined by Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways. They highlight the challenges of audienc...
Feb 03, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Summary: In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Veronica Smith, author of When Communities Disappear. They discuss the interdependent relationship between economic and community development, and emphasize the imperative need to build and sustain healthy communities by being authentic and enabling access to resources. After, Stephanie is joined by fellow host Adrian Ellis to discuss key takeaways. Through reflecting on Stephanie’s experiences with community development, they co...
Dec 23, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Summary: In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with author and renowned urban expert Charles Landry. They go over his remarkable career, retracing the route and influences which led him to his famed Creative City concept. They also discuss his current focus on creative bureaucracy – best illustrated by his annual Creative Bureaucracy Festival. After, Adrian is joined by Stephanie Fortunato to explore key takeaways. They discuss the practical applications of Charles’ work, especially as a...
Dec 02, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Summary: In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with playwright, artistic director, and Indigenous leader Wesley Enoch about the role of storytelling, leadership and wisdom in elevating and amplifying the voices of Indigenous artists and cultures. They also highlight the importance of advocating for the intrinsic value of the arts, particularly in terms of celebrating differences and encouraging dialogue. After, Criena is joined by fellow host Stephanie Fortunato to discuss key takeaways...
Nov 11, 2021•56 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Summary: In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with Manal Ataya, the Director General of the Sharjah Museums authority. They discuss the educational value of the arts, particularly in terms of promoting inclusivity and diversity as well as cultivating empathy. After, Criena is joined by fellow host Stephanie Fortunato to discuss key takeaways. Drawing on their own experiences, they expand on the importance of the arts in enabling cross-cultural experiences and exchanges – and explore ho...
Sep 30, 2021•59 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Summary: In this episode, Adrian Ellis speaks with Jesse Cameron Alick, about his recently published study, commissioned by the Sundance Institute, based on extensive interviews of artists, arts administrators and thought leaders. The focus is the state of live performance as we 'emerge from the cave' of Covid. They discuss the key findings and themes of the study – particularly the skepticism that artists interviewed expressed about the the commitment of larger cultural institutions to artists,...
Sep 09, 2021•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 8
Summary: In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Sunil Iyengar, Director of Research and Analysis at the National Endowment for the Arts in the US, about the increasing global demand for research, information and statistics to demonstrate the value of the arts. They also discuss the need for more longitudinal and qualitative research, especially community-based participatory studies. Thereafter, Adrian is joined by fellow host Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways. They concur on the...
Aug 19, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Summary: In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Jia-Ping Lee, an urban rejuvenator and place consultant based in Malaysia, about her inspirational journey as a placemaker who has been advocating and creating better places to live, work and play. They discuss the importance of deep listening, care, and hope as values that inform placemaking and placekeeping. Thereafter, Stephanie is joined by fellow host Adrian Ellis to discuss key takeaways. They further reflect on the signifi...
Aug 03, 2021•57 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In this bonus track for Ep 5 of The Three Bells podcast, discover the unabridged edit of our host Adrian Ellis' conversation with Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts. Please note that the audio for this bonus has not been mixed to the same standards as our main episodes.
Jul 08, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Summary: In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, about his relational journey and global experiences in the arts, which highlights the importance of producing cultural programmes that address current social needs, and are co-created with communities. Thereafter, Adrian is joined by fellow host Stephanie Fortunato to discuss key takeaways. They reflect on how Sanjoy’s dexterity during the Covid-19 pandemic reflects the agility and resi...
Jul 08, 2021•58 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Summary: In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Diane Ragsdale, Director and Co-Lead Faculty of the Cultural Leadership Program at Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity, about the need for transformational cultural leadership to ensure the resilience and relevance of the arts and cultural sectors, especially in navigating the Covid-19 pandemic. Thereafter, Stephanie is joined by fellow host Adrian Ellis to discuss key takeaways. They reflect on how the Covid-19 pandemic could...
Jun 17, 2021•57 min•Season 1Ep. 4
