Narrating Creative Regions Half Day Symposium

As a partner of Creative Network South, we are delighted to host the half-day symposium, 'Narrating Creative Regions: Leveraging Strategic Partnerships, Collaborations, and Networks' on Friday 17 January 2025.

This event will explore the pivotal role of strategic partnerships between higher education institutions and creative businesses in driving regional economic growth, fostering talent development, ensuring equitable access to the creative sector, placemaking and enhancing other value indicators.

The symposium will kick off with a light working lunch and an opportunity to network. Afterward, there will be two sessions. In the first session, Dom Jinks (Head of Creative Industries and Economy at the University of Exeter) and Carys Bradley-Roberts & Laura Sinclair (Centre for the Creative Economy at Cardiff University) will present examples of strategic partnerships between academia and creative businesses. Following a coffee break and additional networking, delegates will take part in a workshop focused on generating actionable steps to foster deeper collaboration between regional creative and cultural sectors and universities.

Symposium Objectives:

• To examine how collaborative efforts between academia and the creative industries can stimulate regional economic development.
• To discuss innovative strategies for nurturing talent and facilitating entry into the creative sector.
• To identify best practices for promoting equitable access and participation within the creative industries.
• To evaluate the impact of strategic partnerships and networks on creative and economic ecosystems.

 

This symposium is made possible through the support of Creative Network South and hosted by Southampton Solent University.

 

Presentations

Dom Jinks, Head of Creative Industries and Economy - University of Exeter

Universities as Catalysts: Advancing Cultural Identity and Creative Ecosystem Growth in the South West

This presentation will explore the transformative role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in spearheading cultural and creative designations, such as FAB Cities, UNESCO Creative City status, and City of Culture. These designations are not merely titles; they serve as catalysts for urban development, drawing in investment, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities for growth. In cities like Plymouth and Exeter, universities have been at the forefront, leading initiatives like Exeter’s UNESCO designation and Plymouth’s FAB City development. HEIs have also hosted and supported key cultural agencies, such as Plymouth Culture and Exeter Culture, positioning them as hubs of creative energy and community engagement. The session will also examine the growth of the Great South West Creative Ecosystem, an emerging network fuelled by recent advancements and a strategic vision for the sub-region’s creative industries. By highlighting these initiatives, this presentation will showcase how universities can drive cultural and economic prosperity, making cities more dynamic, inclusive, and attractive for both local communities and the broader creative sector.

 

Carys Bradley-Roberts & Laura Sinclair – Centre for the Creative Economy, Cardiff University

Un, Dau, Tri: Building the Cardiff creative cluster

Cardiff University’s Centre for the Creative Economy was established in 2014 to support the rapid growth being observed in the creative and cultural industries across the city and wider region. Over the last decade, it has developed a suite of research, development and engagement projects focussed on driving industry collaboration and innovation. This has included:

• Leading the 22-partner UKRI Strength in Places Fund consortium Media Cymru (2021-26) focussing on creating a hub for media innovation in South East Wales, driving green, fair, global economic growth. The programme secured £22.2m from UKRI (the largest award won in the UK arts and humanities), £3m from the Cardiff Capital Region, £1m from Welsh Government and over £20 million in industry match.
• Receiving an AHRC Creative Industries Clusters Programme award in 2018 (the first Industrial Strategy investment awarded to Cardiff University) and securing match funding from Welsh Government to establish the £10 million Clwstwr programme, which curated 120 R&D projects with industry partners.
• Establishing the Creative Cardiff network in 2015 to address a lack of joined up activity in the burgeoning creative industries across the Cardiff Capital Region. Creative Cardiff has had touchpoints with over 5,000 creative companies and freelancers and was recently awarded AHRC / DCMS Demonstrator funding to extend the reach and impact of Cardiff’s creative cluster across the wider region.

At the heart of the work of the Centre is a commitment to embedding equitable and sustainable growth that puts the Cardiff Capital Region on the map as an internationally recognised hub for the creative and cultural industries.

This presentation will explore how the Centre has driven regional economic growth and fostered new talent development through building strategic partnerships with industry, private, public and education partners and stakeholders.

Biographies

Dom Jinks is a cultural professional with over 25 years of experience: a fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, a member of The National Institute of Fundraisers and recently selected as a BMW RISE Fellow for Responsible City Leadership. He specialises in culture-led place-making and has worked in various UK Cities such as senior culture roles in Plymouth and Exeter and agencies such as Arts Council England. Dom has experience of city designations such as City of Culture, FAB Cities and UNESCO Creative City (achieved in Exeter in 2019). He is an experienced fundraiser and was nominated as UK Arts Fundraiser of the Year (Management Centre Awards 2018).

Laura Sinclair is the Programme Governance Senior Officer for the UKRI Strength and Places Funded research and development programme, Media Cymru. Laura is responsible for governance and management structures, compliance, funder reporting and developing policies to ensure smooth programme delivery across Media Cymru. Laura is also a Doctoral Researcher and has published research that explores representation in children’s public service broadcast television and is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Carys Bradley-Roberts is the Operations and Engagement Manager at Creative Cardiff, Cardiff University’s industry-facing network for creatives in the Cardiff Capital Region. Carys is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Creative Cardiff, delivering and overseeing events, projects, and engagement activities, and regularly communicating with the Creative Cardiff community of over 5,000 creatives. Carys has worked in a variety of creative sector roles in Cardiff and North Wales and was named an Honorary Associate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2023.