Exploring Innovative Ideas and Original Thought: A Deep Dive into Creativity
New Report Highlights Priorities for Strengthening the Creative Industries
In a significant development, the much-anticipated "State of Creativity" report was launched on 27th April 2023. The comprehensive report, authored by Hasan Bakhshi, Director of the Creative PEC, is now available for download and also in multiple languages on the British Council's website.
The report provides insights into the impact of the UK's departure from the EU on trade within the creative industries, but it does not delve into the effects on immigration or accessing foreign talent. The report is based on a survey commissioned by the Creative Industries Council and includes contributions from 24 creative industry thinkers from seven UK universities and across the creative sector.
The report identifies four key priority areas for creative industries policy and research. These areas are designed to strengthen the creative economy and workforce, protect and expand cultural spaces, promote equity and inclusion, and advocate for policy and funding support.
Strengthening Creative Economy Pathways and Workforce Development
The report emphasises the need for policies and programs that create pathways to creative jobs, grow small creative businesses, and sustain cultural nonprofits to generate significant economic value. This priority area aims to ensure a skilled and diverse workforce that can drive the creative industries forward.
Protecting and Expanding Cultural Spaces
Another key priority is the protection and expansion of cultural spaces. This includes ensuring artists have access to creative-making spaces and stewarding cultural anchors that enhance community placemaking and cultural vitality. The report highlights the importance of preserving these spaces for future generations.
Equity and Inclusion
Promoting accessibility of creative spaces to people with disabilities and advancing equity in cultural tourism promotion and other areas of the creative sector are also highlighted as priorities. The report underscores the need for inclusivity to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the creative industries.
Policy Advocacy and Funding
The report also stresses the importance of policy advocacy and funding. This includes supporting state funding for cultural councils and dedicated budget lines for local cultural projects, as well as advocating for legislative measures such as bills that keep artists in their communities and reauthorization of cultural facilities funding.
These priorities were informed by comprehensive statewide listening sessions with artists, creatives, cultural organizations, advocacy groups, and stakeholders in Fall 2022. The report also includes case studies from those working in the creative sector, such as Syima Aslam from Bradford Literature Festival, entrepreneur Tom Adeyoola, and the Royal Shakespeare Company's Sarah Ellis.
In his opening essay, Hasan Bakhshi notes that the creative industries are not yet securely integrated into mainstream policies in areas like education, skills, immigration, and the climate emergency. The report offers insights into how this can be addressed in the future.
The report was launched at a conference attended by policymakers, researchers, and industry professionals. It reflects on creative industry policy over the last 10 years and offers insights into the future of the creative sector. The report marks the £11 million investment from the AHRC for a further five years of the Creative PEC, as it moves to a new North/South twin-hub model in June this year, led by Newcastle University, with the RSA.
In conclusion, the "State of Creativity" report provides a comprehensive analysis of the priorities for creative industries policy and research. It highlights economic growth, cultural infrastructure, inclusivity, and policy support as core areas for policy and research to sustain and expand the creative industries in the UK and similar contexts.
- The report, "State of Creativity", emphasizes the importance of creating pathways to creative jobs, growing small creative businesses, and sustaining cultural nonprofits for significant economic value.
- The report underscores the need for policies and programs that ensure a skilled and diverse workforce in the creative industries.
- Another key priority in the report is the protection and expansion of cultural spaces, such as providing artists with access to creative-making spaces and preserving cultural anchors.
- Promoting accessibility of creative spaces and advancing equity in cultural tourism promotion are also highlighted as priorities to ensure inclusivity in the creative industries.
- The report stresses the importance of policy advocacy and funding, including support for state funding for cultural councils and dedicated budget lines for local cultural projects.
- The importance of legislative measures such as bills that keep artists in their communities and the reauthorization of cultural facilities funding is also emphasized in the report.
- The report offers insights into how the creative industries can be better integrated into mainstream policies in areas like education, skills, immigration, and the climate emergency.
- The report includes case studies from industry professionals like Syima Aslam, Tom Adeyoola, and Sarah Ellis, working in the creative sector.
- The report marks a significant development in policy and legislation related to the creative industries, aligning with general news and education-and-self-development in the context of the economy and culture.
