Urban Reconfiguration, Artistic Expression, and Pandemic Impact

Urban Reconfiguration, Artistic Expression, and Pandemic Impact

The creative industries in the UK have been under the microscope in a recent policy brief, which delves into international trade and the sector's significant contribution to the economy. This study, led by Trevor MacFarlane, Director of Culture Commons and policy lead for the Centre for Cultural Value's research into the impacts of Covid-19 on the cultural sector, was commissioned by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC).

In September 2021, a panel of Industry Champions was consulted on the development and sustainability of 'Creative Places' and how policy can support this. The discussion, based on three questions about 'Creative Places', outlines key points that have policy implications for grant-giving organisations, the creative and cultural sectors, the UK Government, local authorities, and the PEC's research agenda.

The panel, which included Industry Champions from various subsectors of the creative industries and cultural sectors across the UK, emphasized several areas for policy action.

Financial Support and Local Growth

The panel highlighted the importance of providing the right financial resources to creative industries. These investments can significantly contribute to local economic growth and help address regional inequalities. Coordinated investment could enable creative clusters to flourish and support broader government growth missions.

Placemaking and Cluster Development

Creative industries tend to cluster in specific local areas, fostering innovation and collaboration. Policies should focus on supporting these creative clusters or "places" by enhancing infrastructure, connectivity, and cultural assets that make such areas attractive for creative businesses and practitioners.

Inclusive Access and Diversity

There is a policy need to improve access and progression for disadvantaged groups within creative sectors such as film, TV, and games. Ensuring diversity and inclusion is critical to sustaining creativity and broadening participation in creative places.

Evidence-Based Policymaking

The PEC panel called for policy frameworks that are informed by both academic research and industry insights to shape effective support for creative industries. This approach ensures that interventions are grounded in real-world experiences and targeted to places where creative industries have the greatest potential impact.

Long-Term Sector Strategies

Government strategies should adopt a long-term vision focusing on skills development, internationalisation, and investment attraction to underpin sustainable growth of creative clusters and places.

In summary, the Industry Champions panel stressed that supporting Creative Places requires a combination of targeted financial investment, infrastructure and placemaking policies, inclusivity measures, and evidence-informed long-term strategic planning to realise both economic and social benefits from the creative industries. The policy brief, titled "Placemaking, culture and Covid. Insights from our Industry Champions," can be referenced as MacFarlane, T (2021).

1. The policy brief, led by Trevor MacFarlane, underscores the importance of financial support in the creative industries to promote local economic growth and address regional inequalities.
2. The panel discussed the significance of creative clusters, where industries tend to gather, fostering innovation and collaboration.
3. Policymakers are encouraged to focus on placemaking and cluster development by enhancing infrastructure, connectivity, and cultural assets in these areas.
4. Emphasis has been placed on improving access and diversity within creative sectors to sustain creativity and broaden participation.
5. The panel advocated for evidence-based policymaking, combining academic research and industry insights to develop effective support for the creative industries.
6. Long-term strategies focusing on skills development, internationalisation, and investment attraction are crucial for underpinning sustainable growth of creative clusters and places.
7. Inclusive access and diversity will play a key role in the development and sustainability of Creative Places, as it is critical to sustaining creativity and broadening participation in creative sectors.
8. The Study, commissioned by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC), delved into international trade and the creative sector's significant contribution to the UK's economy.
9. Placemaking, culture, and Covid: Insights from our Industry Champions is the title of the policy brief, incorporating key points with policy implications for various stakeholders.
10. The discussion aimed to outline strategies that can be adopted by grant-giving organisations, the creative and cultural sectors, the UK Government, local authorities, and the PEC's research agenda.
11. A combination of targeted financial investment, infrastructure and placemaking policies, inclusivity measures, and evidence-informed long-term strategic planning is essential to realise both economic and social benefits from the creative industries.
12. The study's findings have implications for a wide range of industries, including fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, travel, cars, shopping, pets, and relationships.
13. By prioritizing and supporting Creative Places, policy can foster an environment that attracts talent, stimulates innovation, and enhances the lifestyle of UK communities.

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