Our blog with news and insights from the team
Tangram is working with Camden Council
Tangram is partnering with Camden Council to evaluate the Cultural Education and Learning Support Fund (2023–2026). The fund awards grants of up to £25,000 to help cultural organisations in Camden provide free creative experiences for young people. Together with Camden Council, local organisations, and young participants, we’re developing an in-depth evaluation to be shared in June 2026.
The power of meaningful meanwhile use
Across the UK, empty buildings and land can become hubs of creativity through meanwhile use, the temporary activation of vacant spaces. At Tangram, we explore how this approach drives placemaking, cultural vibrancy, and community value. In this post, we highlight best practices from leading organisations Hypha Studios and Meanwhile Space.
Bradford City of Culture 2025 and the responsibility of enhancing a cultural ecosystem
Beyond spectacle, what is the responsibility of a City of Culture? Partner Jamie Reece explores how Bradford 2025 amplifies local culture and invites global connection to build a lasting creative ecosystem.
Moorlands and Music: The Arts as a pathway to wellbeing
From moorland art installations to conversations on music and wellbeing, Tangram’s partner Laura has been reflecting on how the arts offer both calm and connection as well as meaningful pathways to holistic healthcare.
Storyboards: A how-to guide for engaging and visual workshops
Storyboards are an underrated workshop tool. They’re versatile, engaging and visual. All you need is a sheet of paper, a pen and the seed of an idea.
A Taste of Home: Food, History and Heritage
Last week I was on holiday in and around Bologna, the place that gave spag bol to us Brits and baloney to Americans by way of tagliatelle al ragù and mortadella. My trip to Bologna got me thinking about the food and drink of the places I’ve called home: Southend-on-Sea, Leeds and East London.
Insights from Above: Learning with Birds about Our Cities
Explore how observing urban birds, from Seville's swifts to London's pigeons, offers fresh perspectives on city life, human identity, and multi-species connections, inspired by Donna Haraway's 'becoming with' philosophy.
Abundance and the UK Cultural Sector: Rethinking the Future of Arts and Culture
Apparently Abundance: How We Build a Better Future by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson is all the rage in Whitehall right now so I thought I’d better see what all the fuss is about.
Inclusive public toilets: best practice for placemakers
Public toilets shape access to public life. As placemaking strategies evolve, inclusive toilet design must become part of the conversation.
Tangram celebrates four new projects
Tangram celebrates four new projects including collaborations with Torbay Council, Creative Newham, Brent Giving, and the Greater London Authority, focusing on audience development, cultural strategy, and community impact.
Book review: Playing to Win
I’m a sucker for a strategy framework. So when I heard about A.G. Lafley and Roger Martin's “Strategic Choice Cascade” I jumped at the chance to listen to the audio book of "Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works."
The Tangram Guide to Arts and Culture Brands Part 1: Visitor Attractions
Welcome to the first instalment of Tangram’s guide to arts and culture brands. We kick off looking at the top 20 Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) venues.
Making Space for Young People in Heritage
New research reveals what’s stopping Gen Z from engaging with heritage
Arts funding advice from When It Hits the Fan
This episode of BBC’s When It Hits the Fan podcast features a topic close to our hearts - communications and arts funding.
Musings on the Heritage Creates 2025 Report from The Heritage Alliance
The Heritage Creates 2025 report is a reminder that heritage is about participation as much as preservation, and its power to connect communities and foster creativity.
To statue or not to statue? Rethinking how we memorialise historic figures
As the public weighs in on the Queen Elizabeth II memorial designs, we ask a bigger question: should remembrance look like a statue or something more reflective of the times?
The Community Noticeboard as cultural infrastructure
After relocating to rural Cambridgeshire, I quickly discovered that the humble Community Noticeboard was more than just a place for announcements — it was a lifeline, weaving together culture, creativity, and community spirit.
Why culture must be built into destinations from the start
When it comes to creating new destinations, building new neighbourhoods, or even just developing an office block culture must be front of mind.