Conference discusses the business of creativity
The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) has launched a network for Higher Education institutions, businesses and lobbyists to demand more funding and support for the Creative Industries.
The new association was the product of a conference organised by UCA to explore how the education sector can assist the UK Creative Industries in the global market.
An international panel of experts gathered at The Work Foundation in London on 30 March 2012 to share their knowledge with delegates from business, academia and politics.
Speakers included: Martin Smith from Ingenious Media, which has invested in blockbusters such as Avatar and X-Men; former government ministers Jonathan Shaw and Derek Wyatt; as well as academics and researchers from California, Pennsylvania and UCA.
Dr Martin Bouette, conference organiser and course leader of UCA's MBA in Creative Industries Management, said: "We're excited to announce the development of an association for creative institutions and businesses worldwide to develop ideas, funding and good practice.
"We began this series of debates to bring together creative establishments and examine innovation and development to see what creative businesses could look like in the future but we quickly noticed that the opportunities we discussed could be huge for businesses, universities and creatives. I think it is right that UCA is leading this debate."
Former government minister, Jonathan Shaw, said: "This is a very welcome initiative at a time when the creative industries can clearly help the UK achieve the economic prosperity that it needs.
"UCA's effort to put on this important forum must be applauded because they have shown what can be done if their students are assisted in the development of their business ideas in the creative industries."
Martin Smith, Special Adviser at Ingenious Media, said: "In this country we have fantastic creative and technical talent but we don't have so much associated business talent so this forum is exactly what is needed.
"Creatives need to learn the basics about business but we don't want to turn them into business people - we want them to concentrate on being creative.
"If the UK wants to compete successfully around the world, then what we really need to do is get the accountants, lawyers and others in the financial world to understand creativity better so that we can compete with the Americans, Taiwanese and others, who are trying to increase their share in the global cake."
The conference was the culmination of two smaller conferences which took place in September and November 2011 and featured talks from international business adviser David Parrish and Pineapple Dance Studio founder Debbie Moore OBE.
The full list of speakers included: Nathan Shedroff, California College of the Arts; Dr Ben Reid, The Work Foundation; Professor Dianne Taylor, Executive Dean UCA; Professor Nell Hartley, Robert Morris University, USA; Jonathan Shaw, The Shaw Partnership; Martin Smith, Ingenious Media; Derek Wyatt, former MP; Dr Martin Bouette, UCA MBA course leader.
For more information contact:
David Reilly, Press Officer, UCA
T: 01252 892939
E: dreilly@ucreative.ac.uk
