GCDN Workgroups are designed to give member representatives a forum to meet, get to know each other, and discuss the most pressing issues related to work as stewards of cultural districts. Meetings are held virtually throughout the year and while they are facilitated, the sessions are self-directed. Member representatives decide as a group on the specific topics for discussion and the format of each meeting.
Our workgroup on Audience Development (presented in partnership with the Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts Centres) begins on 1 July 2026.
The following workgroups are currently underway:
- Civic Signals: Cultural Communications & Social Media
- The Partnership Lab: Forging Alliances that Shape Cultural Futures
Previous groups were organized by themes including:
- Civic Wellbeing and Community Development
- Adapting to the Climate Crisis
- Business Models, Investing, and Finance
- Programming for Performing Arts Centers (presented in partnership with the Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts Centres)
- Immersion Lab: Culture, Community & Technology (presented in partnership with HUB Montreal)
These sessions create important opportunities outside of our annual meeting for member representatives to share ideas, concerns, and strategies for the issues that were most top-of-mind.
The strength of networks has always been the diversity of perspectives and the breadth of members’ professional experiences. The program enables insightful and useful responses to challenges in the areas of mutual interest. To ensure a collaborative environment, we aim for the workgroups to be as inclusive as possible, without the imposition of hierarchies. We invite participation from member representatives at all levels of their respective organizations, with most of our workgroups aimed at team members at working levels of the organizations as well as C-suite leadership.
