THE future cultural success of Edinburgh is to be discussed at a conference in the Scottish capital next month, beginning a series of public consultations on the artistic future of the city.

A new initiative by a group of cultural leaders, called Desire Lines, has been established to help plot the future of "what makes Edinburgh a culturally successful city and how this can be improved, continued and secured for the future."

The first event will be held on December 8 at the Summerhall venue in the city.

Desire Lines is a group of representatives from some of the city's leading cultural venues and organisations, who have been invited by the City of Edinburgh Council to consult the cultural sector about the city's arts and cultural future.

A spokeswoman for Desire Lines said: "We believe by identifying areas of shared interest we can work collectively to continue to improve, describe and develop the city's cultural success - Desire Lines is our way of inviting your thoughts, ideas and experience to help articulate this common purpose".

Members include Faith Liddell of Festivals Edinburgh, Nick Barley, director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, Fiona Bradley, director of The Fruitmarket Gallery, and Ken Hay, chief executive of the Centre of the Moving Image, as well as figures from the Culture Enterprise Office, Dance Base, the Usher Hall, and other Edinburgh venues and companies.

Desire Lines wants artists, producers, those working in education, audiences, businesses, volunteers and any one else interested to take part in the consultation via social media, attending events or visiting its new website.