⚡ Creative Briefing #69
News, research, case studies & opportunities for the UK creative sector
Hello,
As the government shapes its strategy to accelerate growth and widen opportunities in the creative industries, researchers are providing vital insights into the barriers faced by the sector - and highlighting opportunities to overcome them.
📋 A new report from the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, published by Creative UK with support from the CIC, outlines the hurdles encountered by creative firms looking for funding to expand their business.
📋 Creative PEC has launched a three-year longitudinal survey tracking the behaviours, performance and experiences of creative businesses of all sizes across the UK. It’s the first time data about creative businesses has been collected on this scale.
📋 We are co-funding a Creative Employer Skills Survey, run by Creative PEC and Work Advance, to gather data on skills shortages and gaps, training provision and future skills needs. It's part of a wider skills audit process, which will inform the Creative Industries Sector Plan and subsequent skills provision.
💡 If you run a creative business with two or more employees and would be willing to share your experiences of the skills challenges you face, the research team would like to hear from you.
Creative industries news
Plans for a new National Centre for Arts and Music Education have been announced by the Department for Education.
The UK has more than 25,000 marketing agencies which together contribute more than £20.5 billion in GVA to the economy each year, new data from Agency by Agency reveals.
The newly-launched Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) has launched a new framework setting out behaviour standards for creative workplaces, including safe and inclusive working environments, open and accountable reporting mechanisms and a responsive learning culture.
Afro-jazz ensemble Nubiyan Twist, rock band Wunderhorse and singer-songwriter Far Caspian are among 58 UK artists to receive support from BPI’s Music Export Growth Scheme to build their profile in overseas markets.
Researchers from the University of Glasgow spin-out Design Otherwise explored how tax and benefit policies used by overseas governments to support creatives could help overcome the challenge of income insecurity in the UK’s screen industries, where 45% of workers are freelance.
Exploring careers in the music business
Mastercard’s new Mic Drop series features interviews with people working in the music business - including a touring manager, an IP Lawyer, an artist liaison manager and singer-songwriter Ella Eyre - as part of a campaign to help young people understand the variety of jobs available in the music industry.
Creative Growth 🚀
🏗️ Building magazine explores how the creative industries can help kickstart the regeneration of post-industrial cities in the UK, with an in-depth case study of the £40 million transformation of a derelict mill complex in Wakefield into Tileyard North, the largest creative hub of its kind outside London.
📦 Cult Mia, a marketplace for independent luxury fashion labels, has secured £4.5 million in seed funding in a round led by Fuel Ventures. The cash will help the company scale operations, enhance technology, and expand in the US and the Middle East.
🌴 UK-based Whalar Group has opened a new campus for creators in Los Angeles, with a second outpost in New York due to open next month.
👾 Rekindled, an animation studio for the games industry, has secured £225,000 from angel investors to expand its team and services.
👠 British shoes and handbags brand Kurt Geiger has reported a 31% increase in sales following an expansion strategy in the UK and US.
IP experts debate generative AI legislation
Experts in intellectual property law gathered at the London School of Economics and Political Science earlier this month for a panel debating the use of generative AI in the creative industries and the feasibility of regional or global IP licensing solutions.
Opportunities
Women Make Music. Funding to support the development of outstanding women, trans and non-binary songwriters and composers of all genres and backgrounds at different stages of their careers. Apply by 31 March.
The Richard and Siobhán Coward Foundation is accepting applications for small grants to support boundary-pushing analogue photography projects and projects which use photography for community benefit by improving the health and well-being of young people. Apply by 2 April.
Creative Enterprise Business Builder. Grants of up to £2,500 to enable companies in England (outside of London) who work in moving image for storytelling (including film, television, games, animation and immersive) to hire a consultant to help grow their business.
Rebrand Reuse competition. Designers are invited to create a new symbol for ‘reuse’, which would be used around the world to identify reusable packaging and infrastructure. Submit by 31 May.
For a full list of funding and development opportunities, visit our opportunities page.
Events
7-8 May - Creative Cities Convention (Bradford): annual event for people making film, TV or digital content outside London. This year’s event celebrates the power of British creativity to captivate global audiences while highlighting its unifying force at home. Early bird tickets are available until 31 March.
14-15 May - MPTS (London): two-day conference exploring all aspects of broadcast content creation and technology, including pre-production, production, virtual production, post, distribution, audio and AI.
2-7 June 2025 - SXSW London: the Texan festival of creativity, art and innovation touches down in London for the first time.
For more events, visit our 2025 calendar for the UK creative industries.
Until next time,
Rachel Wareing (Newsletter Editor) &
Carlos Grande (Editor, thecreativeindustries.co.uk)