North East creative industries in global spotlight

Overseas experts gather at university

It’s 20 years since Newcastle and Gateshead hosted the third World Summit on Arts and Culture for the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA).

It saw 500 delegates from 77 countries arrive in the North East for a programme of talks and events under the heading Transforming places, transforming lives.

You might think attention had long since moved elsewhere, our story of creative innovation perhaps having become old hat (the ninth IFACCA summit was held a year ago in Seoul).

But next week (April 28 and 29) a major international creative industries conference is taking place at Newcastle University Business School.

Leading economists from countries including Singapore, Italy, Belgium, France, Ireland, Latvia, Turkey and South Korea will join UK experts to share ideas on cultural and economic development and find out more about North East successes.

Sam Fender enjoys Mercury Music Prize success at Utilita Arena Newcastle

It’s hosted by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Creative PEC) which is based at the university and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) - itself part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), a Government-sponsored non-departmental public body.

The creative industries sector is one of eight prioritised in the Government’s industrial strategy and among the fastest growing, with the £145.8 billion it generates annually representing 5.82% of the UK economy, as measured by GVA (Growth Value Added).

Professor Christopher Smith, AHRC executive Chair, said: “From music, film and TV to performance and gaming, Newcastle and the North East play a critical role in the UK’s creative industries, a sector which is vital to our future prosperity and wellbeing.

Robson Green and Alfie Williams, stars of 28 Days Later, at Tyneside Cinema

“This conference will showcase how this hotbed of creativity and innovation is acting as a key driver of growth and ensure that we learn from a diverse range of perspectives from around the world to build on this international success story.

“UKRI is committed to ensuring that we capitalise on this enormous opportunity through our research and development strategy for the creative and cultural economy and investments such as the Creative PEC, led by Newcastle University.”

Prof Jo Fox, pro-vice-chancellor, humanities and social sciences, said the symposium highlighted the university’s leadership in creative industries research and policy while “celebrating the innovative and inclusive cultural initiatives flourishing across the city and the wider North East”.

She added: “This is a moment for Newcastle to demonstrate the full breadth of its creativity, talent and ambition on the global stage.”

Prof Giorgio Fazio, research director of Creative PEC, said: “We are delighted to see so many distinguished scholars from across the UK and the world gather in Newcastle to present and attend an intensive two-day research programme, such is the strength of creative industries research in our city.”