Future Arts Centres is delighted to announce a new research partnership with Dr Andrew Filmer from the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies at Aberystwyth University, exploring how arts centres function as vital social infrastructure within their communities.

Dr Filmer has secured funding to undertake a qualitative, place-based study with a group of participating arts centres across the UK. The project will investigate how arts centres support social relationships, community cohesion and everyday social life through their buildings, programmes and organisational practices.

Working closely with Future Arts Centres, Dr Filmer is conducting initial online interviews which will continue throughout March, followed by in-person visits to each participating centre during April and May. These visits will include observation of how spaces are used, conversations with staff, volunteers and user groups, and analysis of annual reports and engagement data.

The project will result in:

· a scoping report and analytic framework for understanding arts centres as social infrastructure

· a practical qualitative tool that centres can use to evidence and evaluate this aspect of their work

Dr Filmer said:

“I’m very grateful for Future Arts Centres’ support and delighted to be moving ahead with this project. I’m looking forward to meeting each centre and hope the research will generate helpful insights for the sector.”

Future Arts Centres Co-Directors Gavin Barlow and Annabel Turpin added:

“This work aligns closely with our commitment to championing the role of arts centres in civic and community life. We’re excited to see what this research uncovers and how it can support centres across the network.”

Future Arts Centres will share updates as the project progresses throughout 2026.