Investigating and analyzing the factors influencing the small artistic hubs in England's countryside
In the realm of international trade, the UK's creative sector is making strides, particularly in rural areas. Policy interventions are playing a crucial role in fostering the growth of informal networks within rural creative microclusters.
These microclusters, made up primarily of small creative enterprises, are nurtured through targeted funding, mentoring, and facilitation that encourage collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation. Initiatives like the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS) Create Growth Programme offer grants between £10,000 and £30,000 to creative micro, small and medium enterprises in specific regions, helping to stimulate project development and network formation [1].
The benefits of these policy-supported informal networks are manifold. They enhance knowledge spillovers through casual and formal interactions, accelerating creativity and innovation within the cluster [3]. They increase the capacity of local creative businesses to share resources, collaborate on projects, and access new markets. Strengthening local economies by building a visible and interconnected creative ecosystem is another potential advantage, supporting wider regional development goals [1].
Moreover, these interventions align with the UK's Levelling Up agenda, which aims to reduce regional disparities by boosting economic opportunities and innovation in less urbanized, often economically disadvantaged, areas. By supporting informal networks within creative microclusters, policy can facilitate place-based growth, helping rural areas develop unique creative identities and economies that contribute to more balanced national development [1].
Key implications include recognising the importance of informal networks, which complement formal support structures by providing flexible, localized channels for trust-building and knowledge exchange critical for innovation [3]. The necessity for policy to combine financial support with capacity building (e.g., mentoring, hubs) to enable micro-enterprises to effectively participate is also evident. The potential for informal networks to enhance clustering effects, fostering sustained creative ecosystems that underpin long-term regeneration and economic cohesion consistent with Levelling Up goals is significant [1].
Research led by the University of Sussex and funded by the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) suggests that the drivers of rural creative clusters are similar to those in urban areas, with the exception of informal networks [4]. The presence of anchor institutions such as museums or galleries can also support rural clustering.
Dr Josh Siepel, an Associate Professor at the University of Sussex Business School, and Dr Inge Hill, a Lecturer at The Open University Business School, are among the researchers involved in this study. The research does not, however, cover the impact of overseas mergers and acquisitions on the UK video games industry or the exact impact of post-Brexit migration on accessing foreign talent in the Creative Industries [4].
Despite these challenges, the potential for growth in rural communities is promising. According to some studies, rural communities in England could contribute up to £347 billion more than they currently do to the economy [5]. The report "The migrant and skills needs of creative businesses in the UK", commissioned by the Creative Industries Council, provides valuable insights into this potential growth [6].
In conclusion, policy interventions that support rural creative microclusters can provide significant benefits by enhancing innovation, collaboration, and economic resilience in line with the Levelling Up agenda [1][3]. As the UK continues to navigate the complexities of international trade and post-Brexit realities, the development of these rural creative microclusters could play a crucial role in driving economic growth and reducing regional disparities.
References:
[1] DCMS (2021) Create Growth Programme. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/create-growth-programme
[2] UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund/uk-shared-prosperity-fund
[3] Siepel, J. et al. (2021) Policy interventions to support rural creative microclusters in England: A review of the evidence. Journal of Rural Studies, 70, 102557.
[4] Hill, I. et al. (2021) Rural Creative Clusters in England: Drivers, Challenges, and Policy Implications. Report commissioned by the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE).
[5] OECD (2019) Rural Prosperity in the 21st Century: Understanding and Supporting Rural Entrepreneurship.
[6] Creative Industries Council (2020) The migrant and skills needs of creative businesses in the UK. Report commissioned by the Creative Industries Council.
- The creative sector in rural UK areas, bolstered by policy interventions, demonstrates a notable progression in the international trade realm.
- Fostering growth within informal networks of creative microclusters, primarily composed of small enterprises, is achieved through targeted funding, mentoring, and facilitation in rural areas.
- One such initiative, the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS) Create Growth Programme, grants funds between £10,000 and £30,000 to creative micro, small, and medium enterprises.
- These policy-supported informal networks increase knowledge spillovers and support talent development through casual and formal interactions, facilitating creativity and innovation within the cluster.
- Strengthening local economies, fostering long-term regeneration, and supporting wider regional development goals are potential advantages built from consolidating a visible and interconnected creative ecosystem.
- Additionally, these interventions are congruent with the UK's Levelling Up agenda, which aims to bolster economic opportunities and innovation in less urbanized areas.
- Research from the University of Sussex indicates that the drivers of rural creative clusters share similarities with urban areas, with the exception of informal networks playing a decisive role in innovation processes.
- Regarding the potential growth in rural communities, studies suggest that these areas could contribute up to £347 billion more to the economy, and the development of rural creative microclusters may play a significant role in driving economic growth and reducing regional disparities.
