An arts & cultural community in Swindon
Swindon Culture Collective CIC exists to help support the development of the local arts and cultural sector across the whole of the town.
Who is the Swindon Culture Collective
The Collective is a network of individuals and organisations working together to support the arts and cultural sector in Swindon. Previously known as the Magic Swindon network, it has an open membership drawn from the artists, cultural sector organisations, community organisations and businesses, who came together with an ambition for what Swindon has to offer.
Swindon Culture Collective CIC is a not-for-profit organisation, established following a successful bid to Arts Council England’s Place Partnership programme, and with cash and in-kind match-funding from a range of partners, including Swindon Borough Council. Whilst the CIC is the lead organisation, it exists to support the sector as a whole, working as a partnership between supporting organisations and the grassroots network it serves.
The Place Partnership Programme was developed with a vision to establish the town as a vibrant festival destination and unlock new creative opportunities for artists, communities, and audiences. The £1.3 million programme, backed by a £600,000 National Lottery Place Partnership award from Arts Council England alongside an additional £770,000 cash and in-kind support from local partners, will deliver creative events and opportunities aimed at fostering a cultural landscape that is accessible, ambitious and deeply rooted in the community.
News, events & updates
What are we here for?
For the creatives
Swindon is a town with a rich ecosystem of creative people and organisations. This programme was created by a network of those people to support the the whole sector tackle our challenges together, and build on our combined strengths.
For the community
We’re a network of creative people with a shared passion for the value of arts and culture and the power it has to change lives and communities for the better.
For businesses
Culture-led regeneration has been proven to drive the economic prosperity of a town, whether that’s through enticing new recruits, or inspiring your existing workforce. Supporting local culture supports all businesses to thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
We know that we’ve got a quite a wide programme of work to deliver, and a lot has moved quickly, so we’ve tried to answer a few of the questions we get asked the most!
Has your question not been answered?
CICs are limited companies which operate to provide a benefit to the community they serve. The purpose of a CIC is primarily one of community benefit rather than private profit. A CIC operates in the same way as any other company and has all the well understood characteristics of a limited company such as a separate legal identity; the ability to enter into contracts and own assets in its own name; and flexibility in borrowing and fund raising.
A CIC must satisfy the Regulator that a reasonable person might consider that the CIC’s activities are or will be carried on for the benefit of the community. This is known as the “community interest test”. The CIC will have to continue to meet this test throughout its life.
All CICs have a compulsory Asset Lock that cannot be removed. The Asset Lock is designed to ensure that the assets of the CIC (including any profits) are used for the benefit of the community.
No, CICs are not charities, and are not regulated by the Charity Commission. However, they are a useful way of constituting a not-for-profit, or non-profit, company.
A CIC can be set up as a company limited by shares or limited by guarantee.
In the case of Swindon Culture Collective CIC, the CIC has been set up limited by guarantee. This means that it does not have shareholders, which means that no dividends can be paid out to investors. Instead, all profits are reinvested to benefit the community.
Yes!
Magic Swindon was a nickname for the informal network of artists, creatives and cultural sector organisations which came together to see how they could work together to do more for Swindon. Whilst the nickname stuck, it was a little marmite, so we’ve gradually stopped using and just refer to the Swindon Culture Collective network, these days.
The network is open to any individual or organisation working in, or with the arts and cultural sector in Swindon. Just sign up, and you’ll find out when we meet, hear the latest news, and find out about funding, training, collaboration opportunities.
We’re working together to create a Code of Conduct for the network, so that we can make sure that it continues to be a safe and inclusive space.