The RSC welcomes the publication of the Industrial Strategy and the Creative Industries Sector Plan, which make the performing arts and wider creative industries a fundamental part of the Government’s overall industrial strategy and plans for growth.
Reforming skills initiatives to give employers greater flexibility will help ensure that the creative industries can attract and retain necessary talent. Funding for enrichment opportunities for young people, enabling them to thrive in careers in our sector, is particularly welcome. A key enabler for reducing barriers to accessing employment opportunities is an arts-rich education for all and we look forward to the publication of the curriculum review to see how the Government will deliver this.
The announcement of the Creative Freelance Champion, and the broader recognition of the crucial role freelance artists play in the cultural workforce, is positive. We look forward to collaborating to ensure freelancers are considered in the Creative Industries Council’s work going forward.
We welcome and hope to participate in the Creative Exchange as a way of recognising and commercialising the value of creative content and look forward to the outcomes of the work to tackle the barriers to intellectual property-backed lending. But for these to work and indeed for innovation and the creative industries to thrive, the Government needs to set out with urgency a modern legislative framework that protects IP in an AI age.
We note, however, that there are many related infrastructures that can impede the growth of the creative industries if its needs are not considered: effective public transport so audiences can easily and safely access performances; a thriving nighttime economy; and initiatives that build on the UK’s cultural heritage as a draw for tourists would all support growth in the creative sectors.
The RSC stands ready to work with the Government and other key partners to use the power of the performing arts to drive growth.
