Following the publication of two recent reports detailing the contribution arts and culture make to the UK economy, an early day motion has been tabled in Parliament asking the Government to ‘bring forward policies which recognise the important role public investment in arts and culture plays in supporting this vital industry’.
Using the #CultureMatters hashtag on social media, the publishers of the reports, Arts Council England and the Creative Industries Federation, are encouraging the public to seek their MPs support of the motion, which currently has 22 signatures.
Incubator for creative talent
The ACE report Contribution of the arts and culture industry to the national economy, which updates a study first carried out in 2013, shows that arts and culture is worth £7.7billion GVA* to the economy, an increase of 35.8% between 2010 and 2013, and that arts and culture industries generated £15.1 billion in turnover in 2012-13, an increase of 26% since 2010.
The report was published on 13 July to coincide with the release of Arts and Growth: How public investment in the arts contributes to growth in the creative industries, a report commissioned by Creative Industries Federation’s which sets out how publicly funded arts act as an incubator for creative talent and a catalyst for driving the growth of the creative industries. More than twenty key figures from across the creative sector have backed the findings of the reports, including Tate Director Sir Nicholas Serota.
Speaking about the findings of both reports, ACE Chair Sir Peter Bazalgette, said:
“The creative sector represents 5% of our GDP, grows twice as fast and has created jobs five times faster than the overall economy since 2010. Continued investment in high quality arts and culture is essential if we’re to inspire the next generation of creative talent.”
John Kampfner, CEO, Creative Industries Federation added:
“Public investment in the arts is crucial, not just for the good of society, but to nurture some of the best talent for our creative industries, the UK’s fastest growing sector and our international calling card. The Creative Industries Federation is pleased to launch a report that conclusively demonstrates the link.”
Contribution of the arts and culture industry to the national economy
Arts and Growth: How public investment in the arts contributes to growth in the creative industries
*Gross value added is a measure in economics of the economic value of goods and services produced in an area, industry or sector of an economy.
