A panel event championing creative industries across the South West was held at the Labour Party Conference, featuring Arts University Bournemouth (AUB).
The Creative Alliance South West session took place as a part of the Creative UK stream, with AUB – and the universities of Bournemouth, Exeter, Falmouth, Plymouth and Arts University Plymouth – collaborating on a claim for the South West to be recognised as a creative hub and testbed for innovative thinking and investment, and for policy in the sector.
Universities were joined by business representatives who run creative and cultural organisations in the region and gave many examples of the impact, creative thinking and innovative projects taking place across the region.
The panel shared stories of how these projects and activities were supporting the local public, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds and in rural communities.
The discussion focused on the role of place in the regional development of sectors, and how joint working between industry, local government and education can drive innovation in the creative sector and support income flow into the region to enrich coastal and rural communities.
Speaking to an audience of MPs, universities, businesses and party members, panel members talked about the opportunities in the region, building on a recent report launched in Parliament showcasing sector research by six of the South West’s universities into the region’s breadth and creative strengths, and the impact its creative sector has on local jobs and the UK economy.
Lisa Mann, Vice-Chancellor and CEO, represented AUB at the event and comments:
“The South West is a real hotbed of excellence in the creative industries and the fantastic universities in the region provide a rich pipeline of talent into the sector.
“We are asking the Government to enhance all the great work that is already taking place in the South West by championing the creative industries in the region, working with its universities in terms of investment and innovation to continue to deliver for the economy.”
Caroline Norbury OBE, Chief Executive of Creative UK, adds: “I was delighted to host a panel with South West colleagues on the importance of place-based creativity and learning from the experience of Liverpool Baltic ventures.
“The impressive collaboration between Crowdfunder, Real Ideas Organisation and higher education from talented students to advanced start-ups in Dorset, Devon and Cornwall cannot be ignored.”
For more information about creative industries in the South West, or to talk to members of the collaboration, email business@bournemouth.ac.uk.
