Figure 1: Creative-Digital Continuum This mapping activity acknowledges that some activities can be considered as occupying a unique space as a purely creative pursuit or as a wholly technical function. While these extreme examples exist, it is also recognised that a series of sectors included in the definition share similar characteristics in their combination of the creative and technical skills. Consequently, these can be considered as the creative and digital activity” and will act as the focus when “mainstream considering interventions in the sector. Accordingly it is possible to design and deliver interventions which are appropriate for the majority of creative and digital businesses given their overlap within the continuum and as such no explicit regard to is generally required. With this in mind, it should also be acknowledged that a number of tech-based initiatives have been delivered in the last few years. However it is no accident that many of these modern tech investments in locations such as San Francisco, Toronto, Berlin and Barcelona as well as closer to home in East London and Brighton have close links with creative industries. It is difficult to articulate in economic terms the linkages between the creative sector and digital / tech activities but it is likely that the creative sector can support idea generation, design, product innovation and greater lateral thinking. Overview An understanding of the and nature of the creative and digital sector in B&NES is vital to form an assessment of the value of the support mechanisms under consideration. Specifically, a broad appreciation of the dynamics within the industry will allow an judgement as to the likely demand and potential impact for each of the identified interventions. In July 2009 GWE BusinessWest published a study of the Creative Industries in Bath & North East Somerset which offered a detailed analysis of the main economic indicators of employment, turnover and enterprises for the sector. As a result the Mickledore commission intends to: Provide an update of the findings to give the current position of the creative and digital economy and highlight any significant changes since the BusinessWest study. Secondly, the BusinessWest report used a relatively narrow definition of the Creative Industries which had been adopted by the South West England Regional Development Agency. This resulted in the absence of several sectors associated with digital services which are included in the more widely-used DCMS definition. As already discussed the analysis presented below utilises the DCMS definition and so is intended to give a broader overview of the sector than that previously undertaken.
Figure 1: Creative-Digital Continuum This mapping activity acknowledges that some activities can be considered as occupying a unique space as a purely creative pursuit or as a wholly technical function. While these extreme examples exist, it is also recognised that a series of included in the definition share similar characteristics in their combination of the creative and technical skills. Consequently, these can be considered as the “mainstream creative and digital activity” and will act as the focus when considering interventions in the sector. Accordingly it is possible to design and deliver interventions which are appropriate for the majority of creative and digital businesses given their overlap within the continuum and as such no explicit regard to is generally required. With this in mind, it should also be acknowledged that a number of tech-based initiatives have been delivered in the last few years. However it is no accident that many of these modern tech investments in locations such as San Francisco, Toronto, Berlin and Barcelona as well as closer to home in East London and Brighton have close links with creative industries. It is difficult to articulate in economic terms the linkages between the creative sector and digital / tech activities but it is likely that the creative sector can support idea generation, design, product innovation and greater lateral thinking. Overview An understanding of the and nature of the creative and digital sector in B&NES is vital to form an assessment of the value of the support mechanisms under consideration. Specifically, a broad appreciation of the dynamics within the industry will allow an judgement as to the likely demand and potential impact for each of the identified interventions. In July 2009 GWE BusinessWest published a study of the Creative Industries in Bath & North East Somerset which offered a detailed analysis of the main economic indicators of employment, turnover and enterprises for the sector. As a result the Mickledore commission intends to: Provide an update of the findings to give the current position of the creative and digital economy and highlight any significant changes since the BusinessWest study. Secondly, the BusinessWest report used a relatively narrow definition of the Creative Industries which had been adopted by the South West England Regional Development Agency. This resulted in the absence of several associated with digital services which are included in the more widely-used DCMS definition. As already discussed the analysis presented below utilises the DCMS definition and so is intended to give a broader overview of the sector than that previously undertaken. sectors sectors
mickledore_creative_sector_support_stage_1_report_10-12.docx