💡 Creative Briefing #73
News, research, case studies & opportunities for the UK creative sector
Hello,
The Chancellor’s Spending Review last week reaffirmed the government’s support for the creative industries as one of the UK’s eight growth-driving sectors, promising “a significant increase in funding to support regional growth and drive innovation, develop creative places, and ensure the UK’s creative industries remain world-beating”.
More information will follow later this month when the Creative Industries Sector Plan is published as part of the government’s Industrial Strategy. A specially-formed Creative Industries Taskforce, co-chaired by the CIC’s current industry co-chair Sir Peter Bazalgette and future co-chair Baroness Shriti Vadera, has been working with the government to develop the plan.
We’ll share full details in our next newsletter.
Creative industries news
Do you run a creative business in the UK? The Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre and CoSTAR Foresight need your input for a landmark longitudinal study. The Creative Business Panel will provide vital data to help the government shape future policy to support the creative sector.
Creative PEC has published a new State of the Nations report, an examination of how the UK’s creative industries leverage international talent to achieve success.
Workplace conflict could be costing the creative sector an estimated £1.8 billion in lost productivity and growth, according to research by the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA).
🤖 New insights into AI’s impact on creatives
Two new reports explore the impact of generative AI on the UK’s creative industries.
The CREAATIF research project has been mapping the impact of AI on the work of creative freelancers. Published by Queen Mary University of London, The Alan Turing Institute and the Institute for the Future of Work, the report calls for urgent action to protect creatives.
Meanwhile, ’AI in the Screen Sector: Perspectives and Pathways’ explores how AI is used in the film, TV and games industries. Published by the BFI and the CoSTAR Foresight Lab, it sets out nine recommendations to guide its responsible development.
🌍 Creative sector climate action 🌍
📰 Psychiatrist Dr Anthony Feinstein presented his preliminary findings from his research into the psychological impacts on reporters covering climate change to the Reuters Institute at the University of Oxford last month. While almost half of the journalists interviewed reported moderate to severe anxiety or depression, 73% believe their work is helping to influence the discussion on climate change.
🧵 Designer Genaro Alberto Rivas Ravelo, who blends ethically-sourced textile heritage from his native Peru with modern design, has been named as the grand prize winner of Visa’s ‘Recycle the Runway’ competition, which spotlights emerging circular fashion talent in the UK.
🍺 Two London biotech start-ups have received investment to develop sustainable alternatives to synthetic materials for the fashion industry. Arda Biomaterials closed an oversubscribed $5.25M round to advance R&D on their first innovation — New Grain™, a leather-like material made from by-products from the manufacture of beer and whisky distilleries. Solena Materials has raised $6.7 million in seed funding to scale its AI-driven platform for designing biodegradable, protein-based fibres.
♻️ New research from Systemiq has found that Europe could 10x polyester textile recycling by 2035 - cutting fossil fuel usage and landfill - if industry and governments can bridge the cost gap between recycled and virgin polyester through better regulations and new waste sorting processes.
Opportunities
Music Capital Fund. The latest round of the Creative Wales Music Capital Fund offers grants of £10,000 to £40,000 to music businesses for capital investment to increase their commercial outlook. Apply by 26 June.
New Writer Focus scheme 2025-26. Northern Ireland Screen is seeking feature film scripts from writers living in Northern Ireland. Apply by 30 June.
Public Interest Journalism Fund 2025/26. Grants of up to £50,000 for projects and enterprises that improve Welsh-based media and journalism. Apply by 15th July.
CreaTech Frontiers. Creative small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the West Midlands can apply for grants of up to £10,000 to bring innovative ideas to life. Apply by 4 August.
Creative Export Accelerator Training & Mentoring Programme. Training and mentoring programme for West Yorkshire-based freelancers and SMEs in the creative industries looking to export. Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis.
For a full list of funding and development opportunities, visit our opportunities page.
Events
20-21 June - British Academy Summer Showcase (London): interactive exhibits, workshops, talks, performances, and screenings showcasing innovative social sciences and humanities research.
23 June - The future for online advertising in the UK - policy, regulation and market development: online conference with speakers from the Advertising Standards Authority, Which?, the Information Commissioner’s Office & more.
3 July - Games Education Conference (Birmingham): TIGA’s annual conference for educators and studios to exchange knowledge and ideas to address key challenges, including skill needs, graduate employability, excellence in research and teaching and studio spinouts from higher education.
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)