Encouraging growth in local creative sectors through policy making

Encouraging growth in local creative sectors through policy making

In a bid to attract and nurture creative businesses in local areas, policymakers are encouraged to consider a range of strategies. These include opening up available empty spaces, subsidising rent for creative businesses as they set up, and reducing creative business rates. These recommendations are outlined in the policy brief "Three ways to support growth in the creative industries," published on 25th February 2020.

Additionally, the report "Insights from our industry champions: How policymakers can support local growth in the creative industries," although lacking specific details in the search results, suggests several key strategies for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the broader public sector (PEC).

For policymakers, strengthening intellectual property laws, simplifying business processes, and developing policies that support local content and cultural exchange programs are crucial. Implementing procurement policies that favour local creative products, such as incorporating local art in public buildings, is also recommended. Furthermore, consider appointing a Minister for Creators to highlight the economic contribution of the sector and improve recognition.

The creative industry itself is encouraged to engage in global partnerships, foster local collaborations with other industries, ensure representation of all types of creatives, and provide accessible training programs for digital and creative skills.

The public sector (PEC) is advised to support networking events and trade fairs, promote the economic and social benefits of creative industries, increase investment in creative sectors, and focus on initiatives that promote inclusivity and access to career pathways.

The Northern Creative Corridor, an initiative aimed at connecting creative clusters across Northern regions, held a panel discussion at the World Museum in Liverpool. The discussion addressed three questions: what success in the creative industries looks like, successful and unsuccessful local interventions, and needed local interventions.

More work needs to be done on signposting to creative businesses the support that is locally available to them. Local governments should review their procurement practices to remove impediments for small creative businesses. LEPs (in England) who provide access to finance for creative businesses should consider how they can simplify their application procedures.

The policy brief "Transitioning to Sustainable Production across the UK Theatre Sector" outlines recommendations for sustainable theatre production, while the "Audiences and Workforce in Arts Culture and Heritage" and "Authors' Earnings in the UK" papers set out areas for possible policy action in skills, jobs, and education. The "Creative industries innovation in seaside resorts and country towns" and "Television production, international trade and pressures to consolidate" focus on innovation in the creative industries in seaside resorts and country towns, and AI, intellectual property, and regulation in the UK television production sector, respectively.

Further research may be needed on the impact of Section 106 agreements. Local councils and policymakers should consider providing greater support and information for firms, including creative businesses, if policies change following an election.

References: 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. Available from: https://www.our website/assets/publications/Final-Insights-from-our-Industry-Champions_-Local-Growth.pdf.

1. Policymakers should consider strengthening intellectual property laws, simplifying business processes, and developing policies that support local content and cultural exchange programs as part of their education-and-self-development to foster growth in the creative industries.
2. Strategies for creative businesses include opening up available empty spaces, subsidizing rent, and reducing business rates, as outlined in the policy brief "Three ways to support growth in the creative industries."
3. The creative industry should engage in internationalization by fostering local collaborations with other industries and global partnerships, ensuring representation of all types of creatives, and providing accessible training programs for digital and creative skills.
4. The public sector can support networking events and trade fairs, promote the economic and social benefits of creative industries, increase investment in creative sectors, and focus on initiatives that promote inclusivity and access to career pathways.
5. For the creative industries to achieve success, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the broader public sector should reflect on successful and unsuccessful local interventions, as addressed in a panel discussion held by the Northern Creative Corridor at the World Museum in Liverpool.
6. Local governments should review their procurement practices to remove impediments for small creative businesses and ensure that firm support and information are provided if policies change following an election.
7. Furthermore, the implementation of procurement policies that favor local creative products, such as incorporating local art in public buildings, is recommended for policymakers to support local growth in the creative industries.
8. Policymakers may need to consider appointing a Minister for Creators to improve recognition of the sector's economic contribution and help the creative industries grow.
9. More work needs to be done on analyzing the impact of Section 106 agreements on the creative industries, serving as an opportunity for research and evidence-based policymaking.
10. The policy brief "Transitioning to Sustainable Production across the UK Theatre Sector," alongside papers like "Audiences and Workforce in Arts Culture and Heritage," "Authors' Earnings in the UK," "Creative industries innovation in seaside resorts and country towns," and "Television production, international trade and pressures to consolidate," offer valuable insights on various aspects of the creative industries, including skills, jobs, education, innovation, and AI regulation.

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