The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations. It connects people worldwide with learning opportunities and creative ideas, building lasting relationships between the UK and other countries.
The Creative and Cultural Economy programme is part of the British Council's global Arts team. We work with creative sectors and cultural institutions in the UK and around the world to develop initiatives and events that share their experience of developing the creative economy and the wider impact of this process in terms of education, economic regeneration, social inclusion and international engagement.
Our programme currently includes the following strands to develop skills, experience and capacity:
Policy Development
Effective policy making is essential for the development of a sustaninable and competitive creative economy. The structure around which the creative economy develops is shaped by a series of government interventions, from IP regulations to tax regimes and education policies. Through this strand of work, the British Council seeks to promote the global discussion and sharing of appropriate policy initiatives and perspectives.
© Frank Noon
Copyright Seminar, London 2010
Initiatives so far have included:
- International issues seminars: a global seminar programme that revolves around specific policy issues (eg copyright, education, financial investment)
- Mapping: an awareness raising programme on the use of evidence-based policymaking to better understand the needs of different creative sectors. The programme also supports some mapping exercises in consultation with UK and international experts.
- Toolkits: development and distribution of resources on creative economy-related issues around the world.
- Skills and infrastructure: assisting the development of intermediary agencies that seek to provide tailored information and support to creative businesses.
Creative Entrepreneurs are pivotal figures for the creative economy: by bridging the gap between artists and consumers they drive forward the economic and cultural development of societies. This strand of the programme seeks to raise their profile, celebrate their achievements, and recognise their importance in informing policymaking for the creative sector.
Initiatives include:
• Young Creative Entrepreneur (YCE) awards’ scheme: an annual programme of awards, which brings groups of young creative entrepreneurs from design, fashion, media and publishing to visit the UK for an immersion tour of the most exciting companies in their industry and take part in a major trade event. Over 50 countries have taken part in the programme so far.
© Frank Noon
YCE Publishing participants at The London Book Fair
• Young Creative Entrepreneur (YCE) Clubs and networks: development of local and regional Clubs of creative entrepreneurs and cultural leaders. Club and network activities include seminars, dialogues with policy-makers, masterclasses, and networking events to share information, discuss pressing issues and business opportunities.
• Business skills: delivery of training programmes for young creative business owners that seek to develop their business and sector-specific skills.
As a cultural relations agency, the British Council seeks to engage the new generation of cultural leaders with key stakeholders around the world in the discussion and development of common strategies to tackle global cultural issues.
Initiatives include:
• Cultural Leadership International (CLI): an annual programme which facilitates leadership networking and exchange in the cultural sector. Selected participants are given support to develop skills and capacity through a range of developmental opportunities including training, work placements, mentoring and international networking. Each participant designs their own individual development plan, tailoring a programme of activities to meet their development needs and goals. Through the programme participants develop new ideas for strengthening the cultural sector and engaging in more international collaboration.
Bahrain Leadership Workshop, CLI 2009
Insight and Intelligence…
Stimulated by the information and interaction generated by these interlinking activities, we will develop platforms for the collection and discussion of issues around the international creative and cultural economy.
We hope to build a richer understanding of how the creative and cultural sector works, its value and its place in society for all.
Let us know how you think you could be part of it. Email us.
