Senior Manager - Newcastle/National
Julia Birch
Julia leads the development and management of the Digital Culture Network, with a focus on strategic planning and program development. She plays a key role in developing and managing key internal and external stakeholder relationships for the network and increasing engagement with the DCN program.
With a passion for people and advocacy, Julia creates opportunities for partnership working, identifying alignment to get buy-in. With an eye on Arts Council’s 10-year strategy, Let’s Create, Julia is keen to ensure the Digital Culture Network supports the sector effectively by driving forward our Investment Principles.
Where have you come from?
Over the past 20 years, I’ve worked with and for some exceptional organisations, including the Southbank Centre, The British Council, and seven formative years at Arts Council England, working across national assessment, investment, and comms-focused roles. After a spell teaching yoga in Southwest France, I held Programme Manager roles for Creative Europe, and then Creative UK’s £4.2 million Culture & Creative Investment Programme, which offered a combined package of financial and business support to creative talent, with a focus on supporting innovation to drive forward an economic agenda.
It was a breath of fresh air working in a part of the Cultural sector where profit wasn’t seen as a dirty word, and I’m keen to develop that attitude more broadly, supporting Cultural organisations to become more entrepreneurial and develop business models that help them maximise income, reduce costs and become more financially resilient. Having once received one at an all-staff away day in Blackpool, I’ve often felt like a stick of rock with the Arts Council running through its centre, so returning felt like a natural progression. Reinvigorated, I’m excited to lead the Digital Cultural Network as we support the delivery of Let’s Create.
