News / Be Creative in Driving York's Economy
Be Creative in Driving York's Economy
This was the clear message delivered by key UK and German speakers, recognised for their work within the Creative industries, addressing delegates from across North Yorkshire at Science City York's third annual Creative York Symposium.
As York investigates new routes for the economic development of the city and surrounding area, the event on 19 October in York explored how strategic investment in creative industries can play a crucial role in stimulating the local economy. Initiatives such as Sheffield's Cultural Industries Quarter (CIQ), Vienna's MuseumQuartier and Munster's 'skulptur projekte munster' were presented as leading examples of how cities can benefit from cultural and economic interchange.
Dan Sequerra, Chair of the CIQ Agency, commented "Following the decline of its manufacturing industry in the 1980s, Sheffield was identified as a cultural capital, and this became the focus of the city. Investment in a cultural district for Sheffield has brought significant rewards for the area, not least financially. Provide the space and right environment for creative businesses to develop and others will follow. Businesses within the CIQ benefit from an organic process of interaction where people of a creative mind can meet, discuss, relate and learn. The CIQ ultimately promotes an atmosphere which serves to enhance the creation of new business opportunities".
Simon Roodhouse, Professor in Creative Industries at the University of the Arts, London and Director of Safe Hands (Management) Ltd, echoed Dan's sentiments. "The development of the MuseumQuartier in Vienna has had a considerable, positive impact on the regeneration of an area previously viewed as a fading suburb of the city. Investment, coupled with a sustained, concerted approach to marketing, has seen the MuseumQuartier develop into one of the largest cultural complexes in the world. Businesses within the MuseumQuartier can profit from the added value of being associated with this high profile initiative. Vienna offers perhaps a particular resonance for York as a city which offers a dynamic mix of old and new, balancing the need to reflect its history with the needs of a modern economy".
"Science City York is working to develop the appropriate infrastructure to nurture North Yorkshire's Creative industries", says Paul Taylor, Project Director at Science City York. "This includes commissioning a purpose-built centre in York to house and support new creative businesses harnessing the latest technologies. Funded by Yorkshire Forward, with Science City York as the main project sponsor, the premises will provide a host of specialist facilities, from hot-desking suites for ventures just starting out, through to office and exhibition space available for lease. Listening to the speakers at the Symposium relate their experiences gives us great confidence that we are heading in the right direction and that Science City York can learn from and exchange ideas with Sheffield, Vienna and Munster."
Adam Purser, Business Development Director at york-england.com said: "The future looks bright for the creative sector. The introduction of purpose built creative commercial property to the region will help considerably in attracting new organisations, and will add to the superb support network already available."
The Creative York Symposium also saw Dr Christine Litz, Art Historian and Project Manager of 'skulptur projekte munster', describe how York's twin city Munster, Germany has become internationally recognised as a result of its city-wide temporary art exhibition. Held every ten years since 1977, the project sees the whole city turn into a freely accessible museum for contemporary art. And artist Peter McCaughey showed examples of how innovative art in the urban environment is important in enabling people to take a moment to stop, reflect and perhaps reassess the town or city in which they live and work.
"The key thread running through this event is the need for a city not to just focus on the presentation and consumption of art and culture, but also to invest in its production, supporting the creation and growth of businesses involved with creative industries", concluded Janet Barnes, Chair of Creative York, Science City York's Creative Business Cluster and Chief Executive of York Museums' Trust, summing up the day's proceedings. "Creative York needs to capture the ideas, voices and talent of creative entrepreneurs and practitioners to help direct York's future. I sense we are at the beginning of a journey, and that creativity could form a major part of North Yorkshire's future economy".
