What Makes Edinburgh a Culturally Successful City?

Desire Lines continues an Open Discussion on Tuesday 3 February

“Desire lines are pathways created by many people walking on the same course, creating a common route without the need for a prescribed direction.”

The third phase of Desire Lines, an open conversation about the cultural and creative future of Edinburgh, will take place with two discussions on the afternoon and evening of Tuesday 3 February at the Assembly Rooms. Following a lively and stimulating discussion about what makes Edinburgh a culturally successful city in Summerhall on December 8 2014, and a survey to explore perspectives and priorities for the cultural future of the City, this essential conversation will enter its next stage.

Presented by critic and commentator Joyce McMillan, two sessions will take place, with those in attendance actively participating and contributing ideas and proposals around the key themes that have emerged from the consultation so far. The events will seek to gather a range of different perspectives from citizens across the capital, including leading artists and grassroots cultural producers.

Topline results from the Desire Lines survey will be shared with the assembled group, with participants encouraged to openly share thoughts on which areas to prioritise and recommend ideas for action.

As the City of Edinburgh Council reviews its Cultural Policy, the Desire Lines conversation will provide a range of important new opportunities to explore and address the big questions about Edinburgh's cultural future. The results of this consultation will help to inform the revision of the Cultural Policy in 2015 and to inform how the cultural sector in the city can work together to ensure Edinburgh’s future cultural success.

A spokesperson for Desire Lines said: “As we enter the next phase of Desire Lines it is vitally important that we gather and focus the thoughts and ideas of all who care about the cultural life of Edinburgh to help us to inform Edinburgh City Council’s future cultural policy and shape approaches that all those who work and engage with the arts can embrace.”

Two sessions will take place at the Assembly Rooms on Tuesday 3 February, the first from 2-5 pm and the second from 6-9 pm.

Participants can register attendance here for the 2pm event:
Participants can register attendance here for the 6pm event:/For more information on Desire Lines please visit