Research Digest: Understanding Cultural Vitality

This digest draws together research and practice on how to support the cultural vitality of places. Cultural vitality can be evaluated by locally specific indicators collected by local government, organisations and informal and community-led groups. These go beyond official statistics and visitor data to include qualitative and dynamic evidence of activities, including individual stories and lived experiences of organised and everyday creativity. Understanding place from the perspective of cultural vitality helps foreground the importance of connectivity across many aspects of community life. It reinforces the importance of diversity, accessibility, infrastructure, social capital, wellbeing, cultural policies and investment, cultural engagement in its broadest sense and the presence of creative livelihoods. This research digest provides an overview of current literature, research and practices while recognising that this is still an emerging field. Our aim is to test and develop these approaches further by working with practitioners and policymakers. By connecting theory and practice, this digest provides a framework for better capturing, understanding and strengthening cultural vitality. This is crucial for cultural practitioners, organisations and policymakers who are seeking to support stronger, more connected and vibrant communities.