Touring is one of the most important ways work reaches people. It’s how productions live beyond their premiere. It’s how artists and practitioners build careers, develop audiences, and create momentum. It’s how venues bring new ideas into their spaces and how festivals shape their identity. Touring is the lifeblood of the sector in so many ways. And yet, behind the scenes, it’s often held together by spreadsheets and hope.

This morning, a BBC article popped up on my timeline, talking about the economic ‘shot in the arm’ Eurovision gave to the economy which is brilliant. I’m not sure if I would have used that headline for obvious reasons, but one thing that struck me instantly, was once again, we’re leading the story with the economic aspect of the success of Eurovision.

I had the pleasure taking part in an ‘in-conversation’ style keynote with Claire Eva (Director of Audiences & Media, V&A Dundee) as part of the AMA Conference 2021, and we took a deep dive into the recent rebrand project I lead for National Museums Liverpool.

This unprecedented moment has forced us all to think about what’s happening right now across the world but particularly what’s happening in our own countries, cities, towns, villages and communities. What does our next chapter look like?