Business of the Arts Summit 2026: An overview

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On 13 May, Arts Professional and Baker Richards hosted their first ever Business of the Arts Summit at Conway Hall in London.

Hosting an array of sector professionals, the topics discussed ranged from business model innovation to philanthropy and the Hodge review.

Photos from the event are now available here, with all credits to Barbara Zart.

Kicked off by Erskine Analysis’ Eliza Easton discussing five key challenges stopping business model innovation, she was followed by the author of the Association of Independent Museums’ Fragile to Flourishing report Dr Dawn Langley, who talked about how the current operating context should be reflected by arts professionals.

David Reece, Dr Dawn Langley, Eliza Easton (right to left). Photo: Barbara Zart

Arts Professional news editor Georgia Luckhurst interviewed the author of the Arts Council England report Baroness Margaret Hodge, who spoke about developing a framework to deal with antisemitism in the arts, while the Centre for Cultural Value’s Stephen Dobson debated the value of perceiving the arts as an “asset”.

Georgia Luckhurst and Baroness Margaret Hodge. Photo: Barbara Zart

Throughout the day, deep dives were held on specific issues, such as philanthropy, presented by the Tricolor Collective’s Jane Beattie, Morgen Thomas LTD’s Robin Thomas, Figurative’s Michael Garvey and strategic advisor Martin Prendergast.

A talk business model innovation was hosted by consultants Caroline Felton and Matt Fenton, Trafalgar Entertainment’s Chris McGuigan and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment’s Harry Hickmore.

Tarek Iskander hosted an episode of the (Un)Common Ground podcast with Arts Professional editor Ruth Hogarth, joined by pollster and journalist Peter Kellner, The Space’s Fiona Morris and Baker Richards CEO Robin Cantrill-Fenwick to look at the potential consequences of the rise of right-wing populism for the arts.

Tarek Iskander, Ruth Hogarth, Peter Kellner, Fiona Morris and Robin Cantrill-Fenwick (left to right). Photo: Barbara Zart

Meanwhile the arts business models around creative freelancers were debated by Bectu’s Rosie Carter, Baroness Thangam Debbonaire, artist and filmmaker Topher Campbell, New Adventures’ Jennie Green and writer and director Stephanie Street.

Baker Richards’ David Rees spoke about different ownership structures, while earned income was discussed by the likes of the Royal Armouries’ Nat Edwards, The Albany’s Carolyn Ehman and Mercury Theatre’s Carol Raynor.

Roundtables were also held on topics such as local government and devolution and finance, tax reliefs and VAT. Photo: Barbara Zart

In the Brockway Room, freelance digital strategist and consultant Katie Moffat spoke about using AI within the sector to deliver real efficiency.

The inaugural Arts Professional Awards winners were also announced, before Counting What Counts’ John Knell delivered a rallying cry, calling for the arts sector to design a country for artistic and cultural abundance.