Regional Enquiry into the future investment of the West Midlands
Public investment in culture is of benefit to the economy and to society; and this investment is at risk. This enquiry looks at public investment in culture in the West Midlands to understand the impact it has on the sector's capacity to deliver against social and economic growth for the region and the UK. The cultural sector is a driver of innovation and creativity and is deeply connected to the wider creative industries, supporting their innovation and growth.
Culture is a connector of people, enhancing communities and contributing to well-being, civic pride and enriches people’s lives. Without public investment in culture, all these benefits and our potential are limited.
Culture Central and the West Midlands Cultural Compacts network commissioned City-REDI at the University of Birmingham to understand the state of public investment in the West Midlands cultural sector. The economic and social value of culture to the economy and society has been proven; this enquiry maps the regional trends in public investment in culture and demonstrates how this investment drives wider growth for the region.
Timescales: Sept 24 – Jan 25
Project lead contact details:
Dr James Davies – j.davies.9@bham.ac.uk
The Objectives
The Objectives
Our objectives for this project were as follows:
- Identify and track key cultural investment streams into the West Midlands from 2016-2024, to better understand the landscape for cultural funding in the region.
- Model real-terms baseline investment levels and use SEIM to model scenarios 2025-2030 to hypothesise how future trajectories may impact the sector further.
- Conduct semi-structured interviews to connect macro level economic picture with real-world experiences of a representative cross-section of cultural organisations.
- Work with Culture Central to develop effective policy recommendations to address the immediate investment crisis, and place foundations for longer-term recovery and growth for Culture in the West Midlands.
The Team
The Team
Dr James Davies - James is a qualitative researcher with a background as a practitioner in the creative sectors, with expertise in the creative and cultural sectors. He holds a PhD from Cardiff University exploring freelancer careers in UK television. He has worked on projects for the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre and is thematic lead for Culture as part of the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Strategic Hub.
Dr Matthew Lyons - Matthew is an economist with expertise in regional economic modelling and the creative industries. He holds a PhD from Cardiff University examining the economic contribution of the creative industries to sub-regional economies. Matthew has worked on projects for the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre and the BBC.
Publications and Events
Publications and Events
Publications:
Regional growth enquiry into the future of cultural investment in the West Midlands.
Dr James Davies, Dr Matthew Lyons, January 2025.
Events:
Regional growth enquiry into the future of cultural investment in the West Midlands: Report Launch. 21st January 2025. 18:30 – 20:30. Cholmondeley Room, House of Lords, London. Sponsored by Lord Hall of Birkenhead CBE