Arts ‘as important to economic success as traditional industry’

THE arts should be at the heart of the government’s business strategy, creative industry leaders have said.

The Creative Industries Federation, a national body for the UK’s arts, creative industries and cultural education sectors, has called on the government to “overhaul” its approach to business.

Brexit means it is now “even more crucial” for the government to enable the creative industries “to deliver more jobs, trade and exports”, it said.

The federation has presented the government with a blueprint of policy recommendations for the creative industries, “the fastest-growing sector of the UK economy”.

Chief executive John Kampfner said: “There has been a tendency to dismiss the creative industries as something lightweight while claiming the glory of billions of pounds in trade that comes from hits such as War Horse, Sherlock and Slumdog Millionaire.”

He said the government should recognise that creative industries “will be as important to future economic success as traditional industries, such as cars or oil and gas”.

He added: “Our blueprint presents an ambitious vision combined with practical ideas, not just for increasing growth in the creative industries, but also for delivering growth and success for the wider economy.”

Its recommendations include plans for creative enterprise zones and campaigns to increase diversity in employment in the sector, which includes advertising, architecture, broadcasting and design, fashion, film, heritage, museums, galleries, publishing and music.