University Helps Boost Creative Sector

Lancaster University is joining Lancaster City Council and Lancashire Artists’ Network to launch a network for emerging creative businesses in Lancaster and Morecambe.

Lancaster is aiming to become a centre for the creative industries, which employ 18,000 people in Lancashire – that’s one in every 25 jobs.

Bill Kindon, Principal Economic Development Officer for the City Council, said he was pleased to work with both the University and the Lancashire Artists’ Network.

He said: “There is a wealth of creative activity taking place in the Lancaster area. It’s important for us to connect people now for when the Storey Creative Industries Centre opens next year as part of the move to make Lancaster a hub for Creative Industries, and somewhere people really feel they want to stay and can successfully grow their businesses.”

As well as regular sessions offering targeted practical help and advice on setting up a creative business, the Young Creatives Network offers the opportunity for people to come together to discuss ideas and pursue avenues for new work and collaboration.

Charlotte Stuart, project manager for the Grow Creative project at the Innovation and Enterprise Unit at the University, said it was important to retain talented people.

She said: “We need activity like this to give our graduates and talented young people reasons to stay local. We’re told that creative businesses are wealth creators. However, in order for them to have an impact on the local economy we have to develop the appropriate support mechanisms to help them become sustainable and increase their competitiveness.”

The network is open to anyone from the following sectors: advertising, craft, architecture, design, designer fashion, film & video, games, marketing, music, performing arts, publishing, TV & Radio and visual arts.

Individuals must either have been trading for under three years, be just setting up or have a serious commitment to starting out as a creative practitioner.

A selection of creatives involved in the network will also have the opportunity to display their work as part of a Christmas selling exhibition at the Peter Scott Gallery.

The network will be officially launched at the Dukes Theatre, Moor Lane on the 4th September between 4.30 and 7.30pm. Any emerging or young businesses interested in attending or finding out more should contact the Grow Creative Project Manager, Charlotte Stuart c.stuart@lancs.ac.uk; 01524 593412