Bringing together data and insights from more than 260 sites, A Seat at the Table: Embedding Commercial Thinking in the Cultural Sector is a new report - from the Association for Cultural Enterprises - looking at the factors driving financial resilience across the sector. It has generated a very positive response. This episode builds on the themes of the report. Host Tom gathers an expert panel to further explore how more involvement from commercial teams can improve performance within the cultural sector.

Expert panel:

Emma Gossage - Interim Enterprise Manager, Liverpool Cathedral

Caroline Reid - Director of Commercial Enterprises, National Trust for Scotland.

Jon Young - Audience Research Director, Decision House

The podcast for the Cultural Sector.

The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites. 

Host Tom Dawson is COO for the Association for Cultural Enterprises.

https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/

How much does the weather really impact cultural attractions, and how much of that is down to perception?

In this episode of The Arts & Culture Podcast, host Tom Dawson explores the growing influence of weather on visitor behaviour, and the increasing role that weather apps play in shaping decision-making across the cultural sector.

Tom is joined by:

Rob Comley, Policy and Advocacy Manager at Chester Zoo

Rebecca Foy, Director of Public Engagement at Bletchley Park

Olly Reed, Marketing Director at Navigate.

Together, they discuss the campaign calling for changes in how forecasts are presented.

A must-listen for anyone navigating performance, audience behaviour, and commercial strategy in today’s cultural landscape.

Find out more about the campaign on Chester Zoo's website here

The podcast for the Cultural Sector.

The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites. 

Host Tom Dawson is COO for the Association for Cultural Enterprises.

https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/

The V&A is a stellar brand in the UK cultural sector. So when it opens two new sites in a matter of months in a new part of the capital city, it's a big deal. V&A Storehouse launched last year. On April 18th V&A East Museum will welcome its first visitors.

So, what can those first visitors expect? And what major innovations - that have worked well in the first few months of V&A Storehouse -  might  help other venues of all sizes all around the UK?

In this fascinating interview, Tim Reeve CBE (Deputy Director & COO, V&A) gives host Tom the inside track including...

The podcast for the Cultural Sector.

The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites. 

Host Tom Dawson is COO for the Association for Cultural Enterprises.

https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/

Judith Owens MBE is Chief Executive of TBL International and one of UK’s the most experienced and established cultural sector professionals. In this special interview recorded at The Cultural Enterprises Conference, she talks to host Tom Dawson about both her personal career story and how she has led Titanic Belfast to become one of of the world's most famous, successful and loved cultural attractions.

This insightful discussion includes:

The podcast for the Cultural Sector.

The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites. 

Host Tom Dawson is COO for the Association for Cultural Enterprises.

https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/

Tony Butler OBE is Executive Director of Derby Museums and a leading figure in the UK museums sector. In this wide-ranging interview he shares valuable insights on the topics such as:

• The recent DCMS funding announcement and the opportunities (and questions) it raises
• His verdict on the Hodge report
• How civic museums have had to adapt business models and what the future might hold
• The draw of locally known artists and cultural figures
• The difference between entrepreneurialism and "magic thinking"

A useful and enlightening listen for anyone involved in the sector, particularly those looking to balance purpose and community-delivery with the ever-changing financial context.

The podcast for the Cultural Sector.

The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites. 

Host Tom Dawson is COO for the Association for Cultural Enterprises.

https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/

Wentworth Woodhouse is a vast heritage site in South Yorkshire. It requires restoration that could cost hundreds of millions of pounds and take decades. Located in an economically challenged part of the UK, it receives no public funding... and yet manages to survive and thrive.

CEO Sarah McLeod - who grew up in a low income household and firmly believes arts and culture are for everyone - skilfully combines her passion, values and commercial nous to bring stability, progress and success. From investing in re-training heritage crafts, to creating revenue from recycling non-reusable materials from the restoration project itself... this is an organisation that grafts and innovates to stay afloat. And it always stays connected to its local community.

In this insightful and inspirational chat with host Tom Dawson, there are vital lessons for anyone in the sector on getting purpose and profitability to work hand in hand to make cultural heritage accessible to all.

The podcast for the Cultural Sector.

The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites. 

Host Tom Dawson is COO for the Association for Cultural Enterprises.

https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/

Expert Panel:

Catherine Pinkerton, Group Retail Manager, Amgueddfa Cymru | Museums Wales

Sonia Solicari, Director & CEO, Museum of the Home

Erin Thompson, Retail Manager, V&A Dundee

The podcast for the Cultural Sector.

The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites. 

Host Tom Dawson is COO for the Association for Cultural Enterprises.

https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/

Couple Alex and Oli fell in love with a 600 year old (and famously wonky) house in Lavenham, Suffolk. They bought it, they live in it... and they've transformed this former tea-room into a commercially-successful and ground-breaking heritage venue harnessing the power of story-telling and immersive experiences.

In this episode, host Tom Dawson speaks to Alex and Oli about their story, the lessons they have learned and the unique strategies they use to leave visitors delighted and revenues healthy and growing.

Alex and Oli will be guest speakers at the upcoming Cultural Enterprises Conference at ICC Birmingham 9-11 February 2026. Find out more and book your tickets here.

To find out more about The Crooked House visit crookedhouselavenham.com

The podcast for the Cultural Sector.

The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites. 

Host Tom Dawson is COO for the Association for Cultural Enterprises.

https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/

Expert panel of guests:

Jocelyn Burnham - Founder, AI for Culture

Owen Hopkin - Director of New Technologies and Innovation, Arts Council England

Duncan Mann - Founder and CEO, HoxtonAI

Sean Waterman - Head of Intellectual Property, Naomi Korn Associates

Key links:

Art Council England's Responsible AI Practical Toolkit

AI for Culture website

HoxtonAI website

Naomi Korn Associates website

The podcast for the Cultural Sector.

The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites. 

Host Tom Dawson is COO for the Association for Cultural Enterprises.

https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/

Joining host Tom Dawson are:

Lizzie Dunford, Director, Jane Austen's House Museum

Susan Rayner, Head of Commercial & Visitor Experience, Jane Austen's House Museum

Director Lizzie Dunford and Head of Commercial & Visitor Experience Susan Rayner share how Jane Austen’s House, a small but world-famous museum in rural Hampshire, thrives as a self-funded organisation. They discuss the impact of the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth, their strategy for running at a surplus, and how retail is used not just for income but as a marker of visitor engagement. With a supportive team culture, creative programming, and a global fanbase, the museum delivers once-in-a-lifetime experiences for visitors while planning strategically for a sustainable future.  

There are important lessons and helpful advice here for cultural and heritage venues of all sizes who would also love to grab opportunities with positivity and an innovative outlook.

The podcast for the Cultural Sector.

The Arts & Culture podcast delivers best-in-class thought leadership, with industry heavy hitters and crucial sector-defining topics, going behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites. 

Host Tom Dawson is COO for the Association for Cultural Enterprises.

https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/