Creative industries are an economic force that can help to power recovery say key voices in sector
Friday 04 June 2021
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Coventry University and Midlands Business Insider recently facilitated an online forum, featuring leading industry figure heads who discussed how the arts and culture sector will help the region’s economic recovery and future investments post-pandemic.
The distinguished panel of experts featured Judith Mossman, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Arts and Humanities and Chair of Coventry University’s City of Culture Steering Group. Judith was joined by other high profile representatives; Stephen Maddock, Chief Executive of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Erica Whyman, Deputy Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Anita Bhalla, Chair of Performances Birmingham and Rosie Millard, former Chair of Hull City of Culture.
During the one hour discussion, the panel members tackled questions including:
- Can major events and cultural programmes like the ‘City of Culture’ and ‘Commonwealth Games’ raise our profile as a region, attract business investment and skilled people?
- How big a contributor is the creative sector to the economy, and how is it set to grow?
- How has the sector been hit by the pandemic and how have you had to adapt?
The group spoke frankly about the impact of Covid-19 on the arts and creative industries, which employed two million people and contributed £112bn to the UK economy. With more than two fifths of jobs in the sector being lost due to the lockdown, and large companies losing up to 85% of their income, there were concerns that talented and skilled staff may not return to the region.
Despite these devastating impacts, the panellists were optimistic for the future of the sector. They noted the innovative approaches made by of local businesses and creative organisations, the increasing appetite for the arts in the community, and the power of mega events in boosting a city and region.
Judith highlighted that Coventry had begun its year as UK’s City of Culture, with Coventry University as Principal Partner playing a big role in bringing the programme to life with key stakeholders. She added:
The City of Culture has adapted in some extremely ingenious ways using various types of technology. I suspect in some ways that has attracted more people to it, who might not have taken part before. The University has funded Coventry Digital, which was originally to be the digital archive of the year, but we have made it into something much bigger, much broader, it's basically a home of all things Coventry.
The festival has already attracted capital funding to the city, including two major art collections finding a home in Coventry and the significant refurbishment of some of the city's treasures.
In addition to the City of Culture, Coventry University is committed to supporting the arts as a sector, with a wide range of degree programmes on offer, upskilling the next generation of talent for the creative industries to support its future beyond the pandemic.
As we look for ways to drive the economy forward, we must remember that arts and culture is not just nice to have – it’s a thriving business sector that can deliver returns from which the entire economy can benefit.
Judith Mossman, PVC Arts and Humanities, Coventry University
View the Business Insider post event write-up, and find out more about City of Culture at Coventry University.
