Chief Executive Dawn Giles, pens her thoughts on the changes happening here at BCA.

Successful brand names are synonymous with what they do. We all know that McDonalds isn’t a farm. We all know that Tate Modern doesn’t sell high tech sugar. Can or does a pizza fly?

We have been thinking about changing our name. Why I hear you ask? Now that we are working across the region we are looking for a name that reflects both our values and that widening reach.

Bedford Creative Arts is not the only name we have had. We have been Bedford Community Arts, we have been BCA Gallery. What really matters is what we do.

We have been working with local people to make art happen for 30 years. Working with people is at the heart of everything we do. Without your input our work cannot happen. Our partnerships have also grown, current partners include Royal Opera House, Central Bedfordshire Libraries, Love Music and Bedford Music Hub.

A few highlights of the last five years include:

Revisiting the Bedfordshire traditions of lace making through lacing the front of a building.

Celebrating Dunstable through three years of Dunstable Wind Charming day.

Delivering the Creative Bedfordshire network across the county.

Launching Culture Challenge – a new online platform designed to give young people wider access to arts and culture.

A name does not have to say what we do. Comet has nothing to do with Astrology. Currys doesn’t do a great tandoori. Boots won’t sell you a pair of shoes, and as for Virgin … enough said.

A name becomes memorable by association with the great work that you do.

Whatever we call ourselves, we will still be doing great work in Bedford and beyond.