Arts & Culture

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/