Study of the Impact of Creative Partnerships on the cultural and creative economy

2006

The cultural and creative industries are increasingly seen as key components of a modern, knowledge-based economy. Characterised by flexible, portfolio working, creative and cultural practitioners move between public and private sectors; demonstrating versatility, flexibility and adaptability. The attitudes, skills and characteristics of the industry are in high demand throughout the economy, and are seen as key to fuelling and driving the knowledge economy.

Creative Partnerships (CP) draws heavily on this labour pool in delivering its programme in schools. By opening up new markets for practitioners and providing them with opportunities for professional development, CP can be seen as an innovative economic intervention, developing local creative economies as well as contributing to educational outcomes.

Although individual CP offices are given considerable autonomy, there is a discernible model of economic intervention at work. CP offices act as an intermediary between the creative and cultural industries labour market and schools, aggregating and purchasing services on behalf of schools. These intermediaries control projects, budget and delivery, and build a small trusted core of practitioners. Project delivery is typically achieved through agents. CP offices tend to focus upon practitioners in the visual arts, performing arts and film and video.

The activities and expenditure of CP offices have a significant impact upon individual practitioners and businesses, especially the "core" group around each CP office. Key impacts include increased income, the development of transferable skills, enhanced creative practice, and increased access to new markets.
The research has also found evidence of wider impact on local and regional creative and cultural economies, through the use of sub-contracting, increased collaboration, the development of networks and increased access to new markets.

Creative Partnerships has undoubtedly had an impact on creative practitioners. However, CP creates an artificial and temporary marketplace. CP and Arts Council England will need to consider its longer term implications for education sector capacity-building as they take CP ideas and practice into the future.

Study of the Impact of Creative Partnerships on the Cultural and Creative Economy Report of findings (322 KB)