Exchange Aberdeen: Building Regional Connections Through Culture and Collaboration

On 24 March 2025, Culture Aberdeen hosted Exchange Aberdeen, a one-day event that brought together voices from across the North East to explore how creativity, collaboration, and cross-sector working can contribute to a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future for the region.

Held at Robert Gordon University, the event welcomed over 100 attendees from a wide range of backgrounds, including local authorities, higher education, arts organisations, independent creatives, community groups, business development agencies, and third sector organisations. The day featured four themed panel discussions focused on key issues shaping the North East: building a shared vision, unlocking economic potential, embracing technology and innovation, and tackling social challenges through community-led action.

Each panel brought together speakers with a variety of expertise—from public service leaders and educators to creative practitioners and business development specialists. Throughout the day, discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration across sectors and geographies. While perspectives differed, there was clear agreement that meaningful progress—whether economic, social, or environmental—relies on joined-up thinking, trust-building, and shared purpose.

The panel on economic growth considered how investment in cultural and creative infrastructure contributes to wider regional development. The technology and innovation session explored the role of digital tools and creative technologies in shaping future ecosystems. Conversations around social change emphasised the power of grassroots initiatives and the importance of inclusion and lived experience in shaping policy and programmes. The day opened with a wide-ranging discussion about the potential for a collective regional vision, acknowledging the distinctiveness of places across the North East, while pointing to the opportunities that come from working more closely together.

The format allowed space not only for structured discussions, but also informal exchange. Conversations carried over into breaks and continued into the evening networking reception, where attendees connected across roles and sectors. The day closed with a live performance by students from Aberdeen City Music School, offering a reminder of the talent, creativity, and potential already embedded in the region’s cultural life.

Exchange Aberdeen was created to spark dialogue, support connection, and explore where shared priorities and collaborative approaches might take us next. The energy and openness of the day reflected a strong appetite to continue building these relationships and keep the conversation going.

Since the event, Culture Aberdeen has transitioned into Culture North East, a name that better reflects our work across the wider region. The conversations and insights gathered through Exchange Aberdeen are helping to inform our next steps as we continue to advocate for the role of culture in shaping a fairer, more connected North East.