Johnathan Branson

Events that highlight the work, spaces and creative potential of creative individuals and organisations - giving industry professionals a first-hand look at what’s happening across the region and beyond.

 Interactive Futures 

Year: 2025

Organisation
Warwick District Council, Warwickshire County Council, Games Development Group

My Role
Local authority lead and venue coordination

Summary
I was part of the delivery team for Interactive Futures, a flagship games and tech industry event hosted at the Royal Spa Centre. As the local authority lead, I secured WDC’s investment and coordinated technical teams, front-of-house and wider staff to ensure seamless delivery.

Key Outcomes

• Successful delivery of a high-profile industry event.

• Strengthened visibility of Leamington’s gaming cluster to UK and international audiences.

• Effective coordination between council teams and external organisers.

Why It Mattered
The event showcased the district’s reputation as a key UK centre for gaming and digital creativity, contributing to inward investment and sector identity.

Links
Interactive Futures event page

 Spark Presents: Rankin 

Year: 2025

Organisation
Warwick District Council / Spark Presents (with Leamington Photographic Society)

My Role
Programme development and venue support

Summary
As part of developing the Spark Presents programme, I supported the delivery of Spark Presents: Rankin, an event led by Leamington Photographic Society featuring world-renowned photographer Rankin. My role included securing the Royal Spa Centre as venue, coordinating partners, and allocating free places to young/emerging photographers.

Key Outcomes

• High-profile creative talk delivered in Leamington.

• Free access provided for emerging photographers.

• Foundations established for future Spark Presents events.

Why It Mattered
The event demonstrated Spark’s ability to convene world-class creative voices while supporting emerging talent and fostering community connection.

Links
Press article

Practical sessions designed to build skills, share tools and deepen understanding, supporting artists, producers and organisations to develop their work and grow their practice.  

 Spark Lite 2025 

Year: 2025

Organisation
Warwick District Council

My Role
Programme lead and event manager

Summary
I produced Spark Lite 2025, a shorter, more agile edition of the annual Spark symposium. The event included workshops, demonstrations, high-quality presentations and an outdoor arts market created with Art in the Park Leamington.

Key Outcomes

• Over 280 delegates attended.

• New outdoor arts market launched, increasing visibility for local artists.

• Maintained Spark’s reputation for inspiration, collaboration and creative energy.

Why It Mattered
Spark Lite demonstrated how high-impact creative gatherings can be delivered efficiently, accessibly and with strong community buy-in.

Links
LinkedIn article

 Spark 2024 

Year: 2024

Organisation
Warwick District Council / Royal Spa Centre

My Role
Programme lead and event manager

Summary
I planned and delivered Spark 2024, a symposium designed to turn creative talk into action. The programme included keynotes, workshops, demonstrations and networking for over 280 delegates.

Key Outcomes

• 97% of attendees recommended the event.

• 100% found it a valuable use of time.

• Strong cross-sector participation from businesses, creatives and educators.

Why It Mattered
Spark 2024 strengthened the district’s creative ecosystem and demonstrated the impact of well-designed networking and learning environments.

 Spark 2023 

Year: 2023

Organisation
Warwick District Council

My Role
Programme lead and event manager

Summary
I delivered Spark 2023, bringing together over 270 delegates for presentations, workshops, demonstrations and networking.

Key Outcomes

• 96% recommended the event.

• 98% confirmed it was a good use of their time.

• Delegates described the day as inspiring, friendly, informative and useful.

Why It Mattered
Spark 2023 reinforced the district’s creative community after the pandemic and supported new partnerships and collaborations.

 NCCPE Leadership Seminar 

Year: 2022

Organisation
National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE) / University of Warwick

My Role
Speaker (invited by Professor Michael Scott)

Summary
I was invited to speak at the NCCPE conference about the work delivered by Warwick District’s Arts Section and the Creative Compact in partnership with the University of Warwick as part of CultureFest. The work was highlighted as an example of best practice in connecting academic research with communities.

Key Outcomes

• Profile raised for CultureFest and the Creative Compact on a national platform.

• Increased visibility for Warwick District’s collaborative cultural work.

• Shared best practice with national public engagement professionals.

Why It Mattered
The seminar showcased how local government, universities and cultural organisations can meaningfully collaborate to bring research into public life.

Links
NCCPE website

 Ignite 

Year: 2022

Organisation
Warwick District Council

My Role
Speaker (invited)

Summary
I was invited to speak at Warwick District Council’s Ignite event, sharing insight into CultureFest and the broader cultural work taking place across the district.

Key Outcomes

• Highlighted CultureFest’s achievements and community reach.

• Strengthened internal understanding of arts-led placemaking.

Why It Mattered
Ignite provided a space to champion the role of culture in the district’s identity and ambitions.

 Spark:Ignite 2022 

Year: 2022

Organisation
Warwick District Council / Royal Spa Centre

My Role
Programme lead and event manager

Summary
Spark:Ignite 2022 was a free one-day symposium at the Royal Spa Centre, building on the success of Spark 2020 and 2021. Delegates explored creative organisations, projects and initiatives in the district, shared learning and looked ahead to future opportunities.

Key Outcomes

• Programme, marketing, budget, event management and reporting delivered by me.

• High-quality presentations, discussions and demonstrations.

• Strong local participation and cross-sector networking.

Why It Mattered
Spark:Ignite 2022 continued Spark’s mission of turning creative talk into creative action and galvanising the creative community.

Link
Visit the Spark YouTube Channel to watch recordings of  sessions

 Spark 2021 

Year: 2021

Organisation
Warwick District Council

My Role
Programme lead and digital event manager

Summary
Spark 2021 was delivered online over five days, with themes including Voice, Placemaking, Pathfinding, Engagement and Innovation. Delegates accessed talks, discussions, networking and an online exhibition.

Key Outcomes

• Full programme, marketing, budget and event management delivered by me.

• Conference app managed and maintained.

• Broader reach through online delivery.

Why It Mattered
Spark 2021 provided stability and creative energy at a time when in-person events were not possible, helping the creative community stay connected.

Links
Watch recorded session

 Spark 2020 

Year: 2020

Organisation
Warwick District Council / Royal Spa Centre

My Role
Programme lead and event manager

Summary
Spark 2020 was a one-day event designed to unite the district’s creative community around a common purpose: collaboration, sector growth and shared visibility. The programme featured workshops, talks and demonstrations.

Key Outcomes

• Programme, marketing, budget and logistics delivered by me.

• High attendance and positive feedback from local creatives.

Why It Mattered
Spark 2020 established the model that has shaped all subsequent Spark events.

Links
Visit website

 Regional Marketing and Communication Networks 

Year: 2008–2012

Organisation
Audiences Central (West Midlands)

My Role
Network manager, facilitator and programme lead

Summary
I managed and delivered monthly Marketing and Communication Network events across the West Midlands for four years, introducing professionals to venues, trends and emerging practice.

Key Outcomes

• Over 60 events delivered.

• Topics covered included marketing strategy, social media, branding and audience development.

• Strong professional networks built across the region.

Why It Mattered
For many years these networks were the backbone of sector-wide learning and collaboration across the region.

 Extending the Margins 

Year: 2010–2012

Organisation
Audiences Central, Audience Engagement Network (AEN) / European partners

My Role
Presenter and UK conference manager

Summary
Extending the Margins was a European programme aimed at improving cultural managers’ skills through shared learning. I presented UK case studies in Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium, and managed the UK conference Jolt.

Key Outcomes

• Knowledge exchange across multiple European countries.

• UK case studies shared internationally.

• Major UK conference delivered as part of the programme.

Why It Mattered
The work supported cultural managers to better engage under-represented audiences and strengthen sector-wide practice.

 Physical Digital: Engaging and Understanding Audiences 

Year: 2010

Organisation
Audiences Central

My Role
Programme lead and event manager

Summary
Physical Digital was a one-day conference exploring new and emerging digital engagement techniques. Sessions covered guerrilla marketing, viral content, digital tools, and audience data.

Key Outcomes

• High-profile speakers from the BBC, Company Pictures, University of York, Black Country Touring and more.

• Showcased emerging digital practices long before they became widespread.

Why It Mattered
The event provided an early platform for exploring digital transformation in the arts at a pivotal moment (2010).

 Culture and Couture: Are shopping centres the new arts centres? 

Year: 2010

Organisation
Audiences Central

My Role
Event planner and manager

Summary
This leadership breakfast explored the relationship between retail environments and cultural participation. Hosted at Birmingham’s Bullring, the event brought together senior leaders from both sectors to debate whether shopping centres can be cultural venues.

Key Outcomes

• High-level discussion among cultural and retail leaders.

• Raised awareness of the role non-traditional spaces can play in cultural engagement.

Why It Mattered
The event sparked forward-thinking debate about placemaking, cultural spaces and audience behaviour.

Gatherings that bring cultural professionals together to share learning, spark collaboration and explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector.

 Warwick Town Council's Arts & Culture Event 

Year: 2023–present

Organisation
Warwick District Council, Warwick Town Council

My Role
Regular attendee and strategic contributor on behalf of Warwick District Council’s Arts Section

Summary
I regularly participate in the Warwick Town Council Arts & Culture Event, a forum that brings together key cultural stakeholders including Warwick Castle, The Lord Leycester, Hill Close Gardens, Warwickshire County Council, local festivals, heritage organisations and creative partners. The group meets to explore the town’s cultural future, share updates and identify opportunities for collaborative working.

Key Outcomes

• Alignment of district and town-level cultural priorities.

• Shared discussion on placemaking, activating underused assets and supporting young people.

• Strengthened relationships between heritage, cultural and civic partners.

• Collective approaches developed to benefit residents, visitors and the wider town centre.

Why It Mattered
The forum provides a vital space for coordination, helping ensure that individual organisations and district-wide strategies reinforce each other. My contributions help connect partners, surface shared challenges and support a joined-up cultural vision for Warwick.

 Shakespeare's England: Tourism Network 

Year: 2022

Organisation
Shakespeare’s England

My Role
Speaker

Summary
I presented the district’s CultureFest activity to Shakespeare’s England’s Tourism Network at Coventry Building Society Arena. I shared programming highlights, partnership working, and the festival’s contribution to cultural tourism.

Key Outcomes

• Increased awareness of CultureFest among regional tourism stakeholders.

• Strengthened ties between cultural partners and the visitor economy.

Why It Mattered
The session helped position CultureFest as a core cultural tourism asset for the district.

 Kids in Museums: Family Fortunes 

Year: 2015

Organisation
Warwick Arts Cenntre, Kids in Museums / Science Museum London

My Role
Speaker (with family ambassadors)

Summary
I was invited to speak at the Science Museum for Kids in Museums’ Family Fortunes event, presenting Warwick Arts Centre’s Family Ambassador Scheme. I brought two ambassadors with me to share their experiences.

Key Outcomes

• National profile for the Family Ambassador Scheme.

• Recognition for innovative family engagement practice.

• Learning shared with museums nationwide.

Why It Mattered
The session demonstrated the value of co-creation with families and community ambassadors.

Jolt: Shake up your Thinking 

Year: 2011

Organisation
Audiences Central (European "Extending the Margins" project)

My Role
Event producer

Summary
I developed and produced Audiences Central’s 2011 symposium Jolt, part of the Extending the Margins EU programme. The event gathered international speakers to explore challenges in audience engagement, funding, local audiences, volunteering, digital tools and more.

Key Outcomes

• Event attracted international delegates and high-profile speakers.

• Robust programme exploring major audience engagement themes.

• Strengthened European cultural connections.

Why It Mattered
Jolt expanded the conversation about audience development beyond the UK and supported knowledge exchange across European partners.

High-level convenings that unite leaders, partners and stakeholders to discuss strategy, place-making and long-term cultural development. 

 Spark Presents: Open Studios Roundtable 

Year: 2025

Organisation
Warwick District Council / Spark Presents (with Warwickshire Open Studios)

My Role
Host and contributor

Summary
I hosted a Spark Presents roundtable at the Royal Spa Centre led by Eric Klein Velderman and Janette George from Warwickshire Open Studios, joined by representatives from similar initiatives across the UK. The session explored how open studio groups position themselves, how they’re funded, and the challenges they face as they evolve.

Key Outcomes

• Shared learning from national open studio models

• Recognition of the significant workload required for coordination, marketing and artist support.

• Strengthened connections between local and national open studios networks.

Why It Mattered
Open studios are vital for artists’ visibility, community connection and audience growth. This session highlighted the unseen labour behind these programmes and helped amplify the contribution of those who sustain them.

Links
Open Studios Roundtable summary

 Department for Business & Trade’s Roundtable 

Year: 2025

Organisation
Department for Business & Trade / Warwick District Council

My Role
Coordinator and venue lead

Summary
I coordinated WDC’s hosting of the Department for Business & Trade’s creative industries roundtable at the Royal Spa Centre. The session gathered government officials and leading representatives from our creative cluster to feed into the UK Government’s Invest 2035 strategy.

Key Outcomes

• Smooth delivery of a high-level national policy discussion.

• Local creative cluster showcased to UK Government representatives.

• Contributions fed into the Invest 2035 Industrial Strategy.

Why It Mattered
The event positioned Warwick District as a nationally significant creative economy, reinforcing its role in shaping future industrial strategy.