The podcast has become more than we initially envisioned. It's a space where we remember that committee members aren't just organizers - we're working professionals with show reels, voice demos, and active careers. It's allowed us to share who we are and what our careers mean to us while bringing others up in the industry.
As we head into 2026, we're committed to continuing this regular production, riding the algorithm river to reach more members and creating content that truly serves our East Midlands community.

Will the real "Creative Quarter" please stand up?
The intention is not to mislead but so many groups are attributing part of their identity to Nottingham's Creative Quarter its beginning to cause confusion. Every group who champions the "Creative Quarter" forgets that the world is not their Oyster, we are living in a fish bowl and most of the world is looking in. Who's train of thought are we riding and where are the scheduled stops! I think that is enough of the analogies. Lets get to the point. #WeAreTheAudience

Building a community needs a cause, a purpose. Just being in the same vicinity is not enough. It seems a crisis or call to action where "What's in it for me" resonates enough with a curiosity that it provokes the dissolution of apathy and overcomes the urge to procrastinate resulting in attending a community gathering. The first meet up of LaceMarket Open Link invited everyone who had previously turned out to find out about Creative Quarter activities to a follow up meeting. There is a momentum within the creative community giving them a head start. After all the Lace Market and Hockley is home to record labels, fashion houses, production facilities and independent boutiques attracting the fashionistas, culture and technology creatives who live and work in the area.

It is home to Nottingham's premier contemporary art gallery "Nottingham Contemporary" to it's crime and punishment museum, Galleries of Justice" and within the Creative Quarter boundaries there is also the city's thriving independent cinema "Broadway" which is also home to numerous creative programes and productions encompassing art, media, film, music and performance.
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The Creative Quarter monika really is quite appropriate. This is without mentioning the business media creatives residing at Antenna with it's Confetti Media studios and media training facility. Businesses are playing catch up. Creatives are throwing their arms up in jubilation "It's about time" but then there is the money. It's like the bouquet at the wedding!

The 'Creative Quarter' defined itself. There are also a couple of ProAm theatre's The Arts and Lace Market Theatre. If we could extend the "Quarter" to encompass The Playhouse and Theatre Royal I'd be a very happy culture bunny! I digress. (no shock there!)

Open Link met for the first time on Feb 1 attended by many new faces all intent on discovering more about the 'Creative Quarter'. Rikki Marr had organised a creative meet up further down the street at 8 Stoney Street joining us half and hour before to provide an insight in to how his role as ambassador has help him define the fundamental core making up the creative community.

The most significant development is the weekly drop in surgery to discuss potential projects and opportunities. There is also a 'pot' of money to support this crucial creative capital the area is renowned for. How it is being administered is currently being formalised.

I'd just like to thank everyone who attended and as an informal gathering no notes were taken. If you want to reiterate anything you said during the meet up please use the forum. The challenge set me was to approach Nik MacDonald and invite him to join us from 6pm - 6.30pm next month at out 1 March meetup. Rikki is keen to collect a TOP TEN questions list and get those answered. There is a thread in the forum for you to ost your questions.

That's it for this post.

Thanks for reading

Caron (@LaceMarketHouse community manager www.lacemarkethouse.ning.com)