Summits & Festivals

In the West Midlands, we’ve faced a year of profound challenges—race riots, deepening economic divides, and health inequalities worsened by the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. Yet, through it all, artists have shown remarkable resilience and creativity. Beautiful Futures 2025 is a celebration of that creativity, a space where we come together to reimagine the future of culture and creativity in the West Midlands, while building connections that span the globe.

Born out of the More Than a Moment pledge during the Black Lives Matter movement of 2020, this year’s festival asks: What has changed? How have we progressed, and what do we need to do next to ensure that the cultural sector not only survives but thrives in a way that leaves no one behind?

At Beautiful Futures 2025, we’ll explore how the West Midlands can become a model for cross-sector collaboration—where the power of culture drives solutions to the interconnected challenges of racial, economic, and climate justice. We’ll focus on local transformation while also considering how the region can lead on the global stage, forging connections between communities at home and across borders.

Beautiful Futures 2025 is a blueprint for change—a day where we collectively envision a future where culture and creativity are at the heart of local and global transformation. Together, we will shape a future where the West Midlands leads by example, building connections across continents, and making creativity the foundation for an equitable, just, and beautiful world.

Throughout the day, through panels, performances, and hands-on workshops, we’ll dive into:

• How creativity and innovation in the West Midlands can not only tackle local challenges but also resonate globally, making our region a hub for cultural leadership and inspiration through culture and storytelling.

• Ending inequalities climate injustice in the Midlands, and ensuring Black and underserved artists have the opportunities and platforms they deserve, here and worldwide.

• The potential for cross-sector partnerships to reimagine our cities, our industries, and our cultural institutions, ensuring they are inclusive, equitable, and future-proof.