Innovation in Creative Industries at Seaside Resorts and Rural Towns: Policy Outline
In a groundbreaking policy brief titled "Creative Industries Innovation in Seaside Resorts and Country Towns," researchers from the University of Exeter have shed light on the success of creative businesses in rural areas, particularly in Devon and Cornwall.
The study, based on a PEC Discussion Paper, reveals that creative businesses outside major creative clusters are more likely to have added new employees and increased their sales to the rest of the UK. Lucy McFadzean, Research Associate at The University of Exeter, Joanne Evans, Impact and Partnership Development Manager - Creative Industries, and Gabriella Giannachi, Professor in Performance and New Media, are among the authors of this comprehensive analysis.
The policy brief sets out areas for possible policy action in skills, jobs, and education. It suggests tailored funding and support programs that recognize the dispersed and community-embedded nature of these creative SMEs, infrastructure investments in digital technology and transport connectivity to reduce isolation, policies encouraging collaboration and skills development that sustain rural creative economies, and addressing specific regional cultural assets to boost economic resilience and diversification.
If a qualitative research study specific to Exeter's creative SMEs in Devon and Cornwall exists, it would likely delve into the unique conditions faced by these businesses, including market opportunities and constraints. It would also investigate how factors like community engagement, creative clusters, and sustainable practices impact business performance, and provide qualitative insights from owners and stakeholders about their needs for support, funding, and development.
The research also highlights the resilience of rural and geographically dispersed creative industries during the pandemic, with the UK television production sector, one of Britain's leading creative export sectors, being a notable example. However, the brief discusses pressures to consolidate in this sector.
Understanding and delivering policy intervention and funding needs for creative industries businesses in rural and coastal regions is crucial to generate economic and social value. The policy brief outlines recommendations for transitioning to more sustainable theatre production and provides three ways to support growth in the creative industries in a separate policy brief.
The study underscores the importance of examining the success of creative SMEs in rural areas, providing valuable insights for future policymaking and investment in rural and coastal UK regions. For more detailed studies on creative rural SMEs in Devon and Cornwall, it is recommended to consult Exeter’s research publications or contact their Business or Geography departments directly.
- The creative industries in rural areas outside major creative clusters have shown a higher likelihood of adding new employees and increasing sales to the rest of the UK.
- The policy brief "Creative Industries Innovation in Seaside Resorts and Country Towns" suggests targeted funding and support programs for creative SMEs in rural areas.
- These programs should acknowledge the dispersed and community-embedded nature of such creative SMEs and provide support for infrastructure investment in digital technology and transportation connectivity.
- Policies that encourage collaboration and skills development to sustain rural creative economies are also recommended in the brief.
- The analysis further suggests addressing regional cultural assets to boost economic resilience and diversification in rural areas.
- A qualitative research study specific to Exeter's creative SMEs in Devon and Cornwall could provide insights into the unique conditions faced by these businesses.
- Factors like community engagement, creative clusters, and sustainable practices could have significant impacts on the performance of these businesses, according to the suggested study.
- The study also underscores the resilience of rural and coastal creative industries, with the UK television production sector serving as a notable example during the pandemic.
- However, the brief discusses pressure to consolidate in the television production sector, necessitating policy interventions and funding.
- Understanding and delivering policy intervention and funding needs for creative industries in rural and coastal regions is essential for generating economic and social value.
- For more detailed studies on creative rural SMEs in Devon and Cornwall, it's recommended to consult Exeter’s research publications or contact their Business or Geography departments directly, or follow general news and policy-and-legislation updates related to education-and-self-development, internationalisation, and strategy, as well as politics for further insights.
