Note: The pilot stage for this project has come to an end and the mapping is no longer available as an interactive online resource. The page below is for information only.

The aim of this PILOT website is to provide an essential information resource for cultural planners and to be used as a consultation tool that will lead to the further development of CultureMap.

To find out more about the background to CultureMap click on one of the following questions or scroll down the page:

• What is CultureMap?
• What does it do?
• What is it for?
• Who does it benefit?
• Who’s behind the initiative?
• What information does it use?
• How do I use this website?
• Can I request additional bespoke reports?

What is CultureMap?

CultureMap is the pilot for a new online resource bringing information about cultural provision in London together with data about users and audiences, all linked to maps showing the city’s infrastructure and population.

Much of this information is already available through different sources, but it’s not joined up and not easily accessed. CultureMap changes that and makes it easy to see how provision, users and infrastructure are inter-related.

The website contains a PILOT version of CultureMap component that users can launch and interact with.

The PILOT map demonstrates what a powerful resource CultureMap can be. It is also being used as a basis for discussion with stakeholders and potential stakeholder so that CultreMap can be further developed.

What does it do?

It is possible to view provision and audiences as they are distributed across the city as a whole, or to focus on a particular sub-region, borough or ward. The data can be viewed from a range of perspectives, to look instead, say, at the distribution of certain kinds of provision, or types of audiences, related to demographic information.

It helps us to understand who uses cultural services - and to target those that don’t. The possibilities are endless but CultureMap aims to deliver the information that partners find most useful.

What is it for?

The hope is that CultureMap enables partners to talk to each other more effectively.

As a tool it aims to inform decision-making in cultural and organisational planning and to provide useful headlines that can help build the case for culture in London.

Who does it benefit?

CultureMap is being designed with the interests of cultural policy-makers and cultural providers in mind. One of its unique characteristics is that it benefits local authorities, funding and planning agencies and individual organisations alike.

Who’s behind the initiative?

The pilot is funded by Arts Council England (London), following research joint commissioned with the GLA in 2004. It has been created by Audiences London (AL) but the long-term goal is for the project to be developed and owned by a loose consortium of interested parties.

A steering group representing potential partners advise Audiences London so that they can develop a resource that can serve a range of needs.

Audience London is the regional audience development agency funded by ACE and London Councils; one of AL’s primary functions is to carry out and bring together cultural research on a not-for-profit, give-and-gain basis.

What information does it use?

As a starting point, the project uses Audiences London’s extensive data-sets about cultural users and ACE-commissioned research combined with information from the Office for National Statistics. To find out more about the data sources currently used in CultureMap click here.

For further development, additional agencies will be invited to add existing data and planning information.

How do I use this website?

The website contains a powerful interactive mapping component that can be used by stakeholders to assist their cultural planning.

This part of the website is password protected. To find out how to request a password click here.

The website also contains general information about the CultureMap project that is 'open access' and does not require a password.

Can I request additional bespoke reports?

CultureMap is driven by a comprehensive database of cultural information. On this website it is possible to browse some summary tables and reports but these only provide an overview of what is possible.

If you have a specific area or issue that you think that CultureMap can help address then it is possible to commission Audiences London to carry out additional analysis or reporting.

To find out more please click here.

Links section

This section contains a summary of links that appear throughout the CultureMap website. They can be used to find out more about the background to CultureMap and the data that has been included in the maps.

• Audiences London - Manage the CultureMap project and have developed the facilities database that underpins CultureMap. Click here for website

• National Statistics website - Provides the data for the CENSUS variables mapped in CultureMap. Click here for website

• Best Value Performance Indicator survey - This survey is carried out every three years. Click here for website

• Quality of Life Indicators - For more information see the Audit Commision website. Click here for website

• London Development Agency - Provides data from the Local Area Tourism Impact Model report. Click here for website
• Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accounting (CIPFA) - Conduct surveys of Local Authorities collecting their key financial and other information on services. Click here for website

• London Councils - For more information on London Councils funding click here

• Greater London Authority - Provides data on Ethnic Group Projections for CultureMap. Click here for website

• Department for Communities and Local Government - Provides data on Indices of Multiple Deprivation. Click here for website . For a full description of how the index is calculated click here