Encouraging local development in the artistic and creative sectors for policy makers
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The creative industries in the UK are thriving, but there is always room for growth. A recent report, "Insights from our industry champions: How policymakers can support local growth in the creative industries," offers valuable insights on how local policymakers can foster this growth. The report, published by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, was conducted with Industry Champions from various sectors, including marketing, museums, craft, graphic design, audio, film, and visual arts [1][4].
The report provides a range of actionable approaches for policymakers. One key recommendation is to coordinate system-wide responses involving local government, industry bodies, and investors to create investment pathways tailored to creative entrepreneurs’ needs [1][4]. This approach addresses specific barriers to finance and aims to rebuild trust between creative businesses and finance providers.
Another important aspect is supporting skills development and workforce training aligned with evolving industry demands. Integrating local education institutions with creative businesses ensures graduates have future-facing, relevant skills that meet local industry requirements [5]. The report also emphasizes the importance of promoting diversity and inclusion, encouraging access and progression for disadvantaged or underrepresented groups within creative sectors [1][4].
The report also highlights the need to engage the creative sector in place-based strategies tied to environmental and sustainable development goals. This includes pushing for green skills training, encouraging circular economy practices, and supporting infrastructure for material reuse in subsectors like theatre and fashion [3].
The report also discusses the importance of championing roles and initiatives focused on freelancers and gig economy workers, and encouraging the development of localized ‘creative corridors’ or clusters to leverage regional strengths [2][4].
The Northern Creative Corridor is an initiative aimed at connecting creative clusters across the North. Other policy briefings discussed in the report include those on creative industries innovation in seaside resorts and country towns, international trade in the UK creative industries, and a comprehensive analysis of audiences and workforce in arts, culture, and heritage [2][3][5].
The report also suggests that local policymakers should review their procurement practices to remove impediments for small creative businesses, and that local councils and LEPs (in England) who provide access to finance for creative businesses should consider how they can simplify their application procedures [6][7].
The report's findings were discussed at a panel held at the World Museum in Liverpool, where policymakers, industry representatives, and the PEC came together to address questions about success in the creative industries, local interventions, and needed local interventions [8].
The report was published on 25th February 2020 and is available at "https://www.our website/assets/publications/Final-Insights-from-our-Industry-Champions_-Local-Growth.pdf" [9].
In conclusion, the report offers valuable insights for policymakers on how to support growth in the creative industries. By focusing on collaborative, inclusive investment strategies, skills alignment with industry demands, sustainable practices, and support mechanisms for freelancers and diverse founders, policymakers can create a thriving and inclusive creative economy.
[1] Easton, E. and Burger, C. (2020) Insights from our industry champions: How policymakers can support local growth in the creative industries. London: Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre. [2] No related policy briefings are mentioned in this paragraph. [3] A policy brief examines environmental and sustainable development goals in the creative industries. [4] Local policymakers can support growth in the creative industries by providing targeted financial support and fostering collaboration between policymakers, investors, and industry. [5] A policy briefing sets out recommendations for skills development, workforce training, and education in the creative industries. [6] Local governments should review their procurement practices to remove impediments for small creative businesses. [7] Local councils and LEPs (in England) who provide access to finance for creative businesses should consider how they can simplify their application procedures. [8] A panel discussion was held at the World Museum in Liverpool to address questions about success in the creative industries, local interventions, and needed local interventions. [9] The paper is available at "https://www.our website/assets/publications/Final-Insights-from-our-Industry-Champions_-Local-Growth.pdf"
- The thriving creative industries in the UK require continuous growth, and a report titled "Insights from our industry champions: How policymakers can support local growth in the creative industries" offers practical solutions for local policymakers.
- The report, published by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, suggests collaborating with various sectors like marketing, museums, craft, graphic design, audio, film, and visual arts.
- One of the key recommendations in the report is coordinating system-wide responses to create investment pathways customized for creative entrepreneurs' needs.
- The report emphasizes the importance of fostering skills development and workforce training aligned with evolving industry dynamics.
- By integrating local education institutions with creative businesses, graduates can obtain future-facing skills that meet local industry demands.
- Promoting diversity and inclusion is also crucial, serving to increase access and progression for underrepresented groups within creative sectors.
- The report stresses the need to engage the creative sector in place-based strategies related to environmental and sustainable development goals.
- The report encourages champions for roles and initiatives targeting freelancers and gig economy workers, and the development of localized 'creative corridors' or clusters to leverage regional strengths.
- The Northern Creative Corridor is an initiative aimed at connecting creative clusters across the North.
- Additional policy briefings discussed in the report lie in the spheres of creative industries innovation in seaside resorts and country towns, international trade in the UK creative industries, and a comprehensive analysis of audiences and workforce in arts, culture, and heritage.
- To support small creative businesses, local policymakers should review procurement practices and simplify application procedures for finance provided by local councils and LEPs in England.
