Looking Back, Looking Forward: 10 years of Arts Council Work in the Creative Industries

Author: BOP Consulting

Institution: Arts Council England

Summary of key findings

This project was commissioned by Arts Council England (ACE), with two primary aims in mind:

• to undertake a review of ACE’s work in creative enterprise development over the last decade;
• to contribute to the improved understanding of ACE’s involvement and continuing role in creative enterprise development

Arts Council England (ACE) is a major investor in the UK’s creative economy in ways that are extremely wide-ranging and diverse. This report focuses on investments and support for creative industries and other examples of creative economy development, particularly projects, programmes, and delivery mechanisms that have economic and social impact objectives.

While it can be argued that all ACE’s activities contribute to the development of the creative economy, this is not a study of the economic impact of the arts and thus the majority of ACE’s work, its funding for regularly funded organisations in particular, does not form the basis of this project.

ACE has developed regional and national projects, programmes, and support mechanisms over the last ten years that encourage the development of the creative economy. ACE has been involved in the following broad areas of intervention in support of the creative economy:

• Market development;
• Capital development (physical infrastructure development);
• Institutional infrastructure development (human resources and networks);
• Business support and development (including access to finance and workspace);
• Professional development (including artistic practice and skills);
• Access and inclusion initiatives;
• Creative industries research and other consultancy services.

Methodology

The methodology for this project consisted primarily of a review of ACE literature, including project and programme evaluations, internal planning documents, strategy documents, responses to government policy, and general information on projects and funding. We have supplemented this with other literature on creative industries and economic development.

Literature has been supplemented by telephone interviews with current and former ACE staff. In addition, a selection of face to face interviews and two seminars have been undertaken with national policymakers, ACE regional officers, and key regional contacts.

Go to the journal article.