Analyzing and identifying the factors shaping England's rural creative pockets of activity
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In a recent report titled "Mapping and examining the determinants of England's rural creative microclusters," researchers from the University of Sussex, led by Dr Jorge Velez Ospina, have delved into the intricacies of the rural creative sector in England. The study, funded by the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE), sheds light on the factors that contribute to the growth and sustainability of these microclusters, small geographic concentrations of creative enterprises.
The report focuses on the skills needs of creative businesses in the UK, particularly regarding migrant workers. It was commissioned by the Creative Industries Council. However, it's important to note that the research was not specifically about rural creative industries or microclusters.
One of the key findings of the study is that being co-located in rural areas can lead to external economies of scale, making rural creative businesses more productive. This productivity is further bolstered by the presence of anchor institutions such as museums or galleries, which can support rural clustering.
The drivers of rural creative clusters are similar to those in urban areas, with the exception of informal networks not being a strong determining factor behind rural microclustering. Instead, geographic proximity facilitates informal and formal knowledge exchange and spillovers. Organizational forms and networks that enable collaboration and innovation diffusion, influenced by institutional commitments to open information exchange, play a crucial role.
An example of a rural microcluster is Felton Gallery 45, a hub for five creative businesses in Northumberland. The report also finds evidence that being close to a university supports the emergence of rural creative clusters. However, it does not provide evidence that the presence of anchor institutions directly supports the emergence of creative clusters in urban areas.
Policy interventions play a pivotal role in nurturing these microclusters. They focus on developing human capital via creative arts education and training tailored to rural contexts, reforming policies and institutions to protect creators, establishing institutional leadership and coordination, providing fiscal incentives, and securing financing and building partnerships to overcome challenges related to limited access to capital in rural areas.
These policy interventions, by strengthening institutional frameworks, facilitating skill development, and financing mechanisms, help rural creative microclusters grow and sustain innovation-led local development. The report suggests that such interventions could have a significant positive impact in rural locations, particularly within the context of the Levelling Up agenda.
Dr Josh Siepel, an Associate Professor in the Science Policy Research Unit at the University of Sussex Business School, and Dr Inge Hill, a Lecturer in Entrepreneurship at The Open University Business School, were also involved in the research.
The report underscores the potential of rural communities in England, which contribute around 16% GVA, equivalent to around £261 billion. There is potential for growth, up to £347 billion higher than now according to some studies. The report serves as a valuable resource for policymakers and stakeholders looking to foster the growth of creative industries in rural areas.
[1] Velez Ospina, J., Siepel, J., Hill, I., & Garnett, P. (2022). Mapping and examining the determinants of England's rural creative microclusters. National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise. [4] Velez Ospina, J., Siepel, J., Hill, I., & Garnett, P. (2022). Policy interventions for rural creative microclusters. National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise.
- The rural creative sector in England is under investigation by University of Sussex researchers, with a focus on skills needs of creative businesses, particularly those involving migrant workers.
- The report highlights that co-locating in rural areas can lead to external economies of scale, improving productivity, and being near universities supports the emergence of rural creative clusters, contrary to urban areas.
- Driver of rural creative clusters are similar to urban areas, except informal networks, with geographic proximity facilitating knowledge exchange and spillovers.
- Policy interventions are crucial for nurturing rural creative microclusters, focusing on creative arts education, protecting creators, institutional leadership, fiscal incentives, and financing partnerships.
- These policy interventions contribute to the growth and sustainability of innovation-led local development in rural areas, potentially having a substantial impact under the Levelling Up agenda.
- One rural microcluster example is Felton Gallery 45, a hub for five creative businesses in Northumberland.
- The research was funded by the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) and was led by Dr Jorge Velez Ospina, with Associate Professor Josh Siepel and Lecturer Inge Hill also involved.
- The report concludes that rural communities in England have immense potential, contributing around 16% GVA, equivalent to around £261 billion, with potential for growth up to £347 billion.
