United Kingdom's Blueprint for Exporting Artistic and Creative Goods
In a bid to significantly increase the contribution of the creative industries to the UK economy, a comprehensive set of policies has been unveiled. The strategies, outlined in the Creative Industries Sector Plan, are designed to support export growth, innovation, and regional development within the sector.
Eliza Easton, founder of Erskine Analysis and former Deputy Director at the Creative PEC, has spearheaded a policy briefing that sets out these strategies in detail. The brief examines international trade in the UK's creative industries, drawing on UK Trade data, and presents three ways to support growth, focusing on skills, jobs, and education, as well as transitioning to sustainable theatre production and supporting the UK television production sector.
One of the key strategies is to increase export support. This includes additional funding via the Export Finance scheme, which aims to encourage exporting among creative microbusinesses and SMEs in regions with low export shares. Targeted support will also focus on areas where creative firms have stopped exporting post-Covid and EU-exit, helping to revive regional creative economies.
Another strategy involves increasing trade missions to key markets, particularly Europe and North America, the primary destinations for UK creative services exports. Asia is also a significant focus for creative exports, and missions aim to make performing in Europe easier for artists.
A £380 million investment package includes funding for skills programs, research, and local support to ensure the sector thrives across all regions. The £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund will be devolved to support local creative businesses and talent, focusing on areas like the West Midlands and Greater Manchester.
A £30 million Music Growth Package is dedicated to supporting emerging artists through touring, performing, mentoring, and export opportunities. The plan also includes a significant increase in funding for the Music Export Growth Scheme, supporting music exports and an industry-led agreement on music streaming.
The UK’s Trade Strategy, published alongside the Industrial Strategy, aims to support the growth of the creative sector through digital services trade, acknowledging the creative industries’ role in the UK's digital exports.
In addition to these strategies, the Northern Creative Corridor is an initiative aimed at connecting creative clusters across Northern regions. A policy brief also provides a comprehensive analysis of audiences and workforce in Arts, Culture, and Heritage, using census data. The brief is based on a PEC Discussion Paper, focusing on Creative Industries Innovation in Seaside Resorts and Country Towns.
By integrating these strategies, the UK aims to enhance its creative industries' contribution to the national economy, particularly through exports and innovation. The comprehensive approach outlined in the Creative Industries Sector Plan offers a promising pathway for the UK's creative industries to thrive in the global market.
- The policy briefing by Eliza Easton emphasizes the role of education and self-development in supporting growth within the creative industries.
- The Creative Industries Sector Plan presents an analysis of international trade in the UK's creative industries, using data from UK Trade.
- One of the strategies outlined in the plan is to provide additional funding via the Export Finance scheme for creative microbusinesses and SMEs.
- Targeted support for creative firms aims to revive regional economies that have stopped exporting post-Covid and EU-exit.
- The Creative Places Growth Fund, a portion of the £380 million investment package, will be devolved to support local creative businesses and talent.
- The Music Growth Package, a £30 million investment, is dedicated to supporting emerging artists through various opportunities in touring, performing, mentoring, and exporting.
- The UK’s Trade Strategy acknowledges the creative industries’ role in the UK's digital exports and supports their growth through digital services trade.
- The Northern Creative Corridor initiative aims to connect creative clusters across Northern regions, fostering collaboration and innovation.
- A policy brief provides a comprehensive analysis of audiences and workforce in Arts, Culture, and Heritage, using census data.
- By implementing these strategies, the UK aims to increase the contribution of the creative industries to the national economy, particularly through exports, innovation, and the promotion of creative industries in lifestyle sectors such as finance and technology.
