How We Work
Who We Are and How We Work
Cultural Commons CIC is a registered Community Interest Company, a legal structure in the UK designed to ensure that our work benefits the public rather than private shareholders. We have no external shareholders, and our asset lock guarantees that all of our resources—revenues, assets, and any surpluses—must be used strictly in service of our community mandate. This means that, instead of distributing profits, we reinvest any income directly into initiatives that expand access to literature and the arts, foster inclusive creative spaces, and support circular economies that preserve cultural heritage.
By operating as a CIC, Cultural Commons embodies the principle that culture should be a shared resource, accessible to anyone, regardless of background or financial means. Our structure formalizes our commitment to social impact, enshrining it at the heart of everything we do. It also safeguards our mission from external pressures, allowing us to focus on creating meaningful community-based projects, promoting literary translation, and encouraging sustainable reading practices.
Because we remain accountable to our community—rather than to shareholders—we are free to innovate, collaborate, and respond to emerging needs in the cultural sector. In this way, our CIC model keeps us rooted in our values, ensuring that every choice we make reflects our pledge to enrich and sustain the literary and artistic life of the communities we serve.
Our Community Interest Mandate
At Cultural Commons CIC, our purpose is to strengthen and enrich the literary and artistic fabric of communities throughout Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We focus on engaging individuals and groups who are passionate about the written word and other creative expressions—readers, writers, listeners, producers, and cultural enthusiasts alike. Central to our work is the belief that access to literature, the arts, and shared cultural assets should be inclusive, empowering, and reflective of diverse voices.
We strive to make literature and art accessible in tangible ways, such as providing welcoming physical spaces in Portobello and Newington (Edinburgh) for reading, performances, exhibitions, and community events. Equally, we collaborate with partners and organizations to develop affordable and innovative avenues for people to experience, discuss, and contribute to the literary arts in all their forms. By preserving and circulating cultural materials—through second-hand books, public programs, or community-based archives—we encourage a more sustainable cultural ecosystem that honors both contemporary creativity and heritage.
Our mandate also encompasses nurturing underrepresented voices and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to engage. We work to bridge gaps in access, whether financial, geographical, or cultural, and to foster dialogues that reflect the breadth of human experience. Whether you are an emerging writer eager for feedback, a translator bringing new voices into English, or a reader curious to explore different perspectives, Cultural Commons CIC provides resources, networks, and events that support and amplify your participation.
Above all, our core commitment is to serve the public interest. We believe that a thriving creative community—where people can share and develop ideas, collaborate across disciplines, and access literature and art affordably—promotes a more vibrant and inclusive society. Through research, partnerships, and practical, community-driven initiatives, we aim to champion circular economies, protect cultural assets, and open the door to deeper cross-cultural understanding and exchange. By centering these values in our work, we seek to grow collective opportunities for education, inspiration, and meaningful cultural engagement for the many, not just the few.