Creatives from across Perth and Kinross will gather this June for a landmark summit to shape the future of culture in the region.

Culture Perth and Kinross, Perth and Kinross Council, Perth Theatre and Concert Hall, and Perth City of Craft, will jointly host the first-ever Perth & Kinross Cultural Summit on Thursday 25 June, bringing together voices from across the region’s vibrant cultural sector.

Taking place in the Joan Knight Studio at Perth Theatre from 9.30am to 2pm, the Summit will convene artists, writers, creatives and cultural organisations to explore what the future of culture in Perth and Kinross could look like and how collaborative working can help realise that vision.

The event will feature contributions from individuals working in the sector, providing insight into current practice as well as aspirations for the future. A keynote address will be delivered by Professor Anne Anderson, a highly respected leader in cultural, academic and international policy circles.

Professor Anderson is Vice Principal Emerita of the University of Glasgow and Chair of the UK National Commission for UNESCO. Her distinguished career includes roles as Deputy Chair of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, board member of VisitScotland (including Senior Independent Director), and member of the Scottish Funding Council Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee. She is also an adviser to the British Council (Scotland) and The Robertson Trust, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Her keynote will highlight the importance of a collaborative, engaged and well-supported cultural sector.

The Summit represents an important opportunity for participants to directly shape the future of culture in the region. Insights and discussions from the event will help inform the next iteration of the Perth and Kinross Cultural Strategy, ensuring it reflects the voices and priorities of those working within the sector.

Perth and Kinross Council leader Councillor Eric Drysdale said: “Culture enriches our lives and this summit is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our amazing heritage while looking ahead with ambition. As a UNESCO City of Craft and Folk Art and home to such outstanding attractions as Perth Museum and Perth Art Gallery, we have a unique creative identity, and it is vital we continue to support and invest in our cultural sector so it can thrive for future generations.

Helen Smout, CEO of Culture Perth and Kinross said “We are delighted to be working collaboratively with our key partners to host the very first Cultural Summit in the region. We have a world class cultural sector, rightly celebrated for its diversity and the way in which it is deeply rooted in the region’s landscape and heritage. We are looking forward to rich discussions and a creative exchange of ideas as we work to develop a future vision together.”

The event is free to attend and open to anyone with an interest in culture in Perth and Kinross. However, places are limited and must be booked in advance via Eventbrite.