"The purpose of this consultation is to update the DCMS Creative Industries classification and we are inviting input from interested parties. We have been engaging with industry and partner organisations over potential changes via a Technical Working Group of the Creative Industries Council and are now at a point where we would like to go out to consultation and seek wider views.
We have been working with partners (NESTA, Creative Skillset and Creative and Cultural Skills), to review and update the classification used in the DCMS Creative Industries Economic Estimates (CIEE). We intend to use this review 'Classifying and Measuring the Creative Industries', referenced below, as an objective starting point to suggest which occupations and industries should be included in the updated DCMS classification.
The review uses the idea of 'creative intensity' (the proportion of people doing creative jobs within each industry) to suggest which industries should be included. If the proportion of people doing creative jobs in a particular industry is substantial, above a 30% threshold, the industries are candidates for inclusion within the Creative Industries classification.
Similar to the outlook in our current Creative Industries Economic Estimates, the 'creative intensity' approach focuses on industries where the creative activity happens. The intention is to produce a classification which provides direct estimates of employment and the contribution to the economy, with no double counting - rather than attempting to capture all activity further down the value chain, for example, retail activities. The classification generated in this way can be used as a starting point for indirect estimates which include wider economic effects along the supply chain.
Any approach has data and methods constraints, which may affect some industries more than others. These limitations are reflected in the consultation and consultees are invited to suggest alternatives, supported by evidence-based argument. Weaknesses in the underlying classifications and data used to construct these estimates, which are identified by users, will be fed-back to the organisations which set these standards and provide these data so that we can influence longer-term improvements."
(Department for Culture, Media & Sport, 19 April 2013)
"The UK's creative economy is one of its great national strengths, historically deeply rooted and accounting for around one-tenth of the whole economy. It provides jobs for 2.5 million people - more than in financial services, advanced manufacturing or construction - and in recent years, this creative workforce has grown four times faster than the workforce as a whole.
But behind this success lies much disruption and business uncertainty, associated with digital technologies. Previously profitable business models have been swept away, young companies from outside the UK have dominated new internet markets, and some UK creative businesses have struggled to compete.
UK policymakers too have failed to keep pace with developments in North America and parts of Asia. But it is not too late to refresh tired policies. This manifesto sets out our 10-point plan to bolster one of the UK's fastest growing sectors."
(Hasan Bakhshi, Ian Hargreaves and Juan Mateos-Garcia, April 2013, NESTA)
"Creativepool connects people through the things they make and the work they share. We pride ourselves on understanding what makes the creative community tick, and invest in the ongoing development of new and useful tools and features to help creative professionals create, inspire and connect."
(Creativepool Ltd., UK)
CHARACTERIZED Kuala Lumpur 2013, Tuesday 30 April 2013, 7:00pm, MAPKL, Black Box-Publika, Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
"Over the past few decades, Malaysia has been bearing a rapidly fast changing landscape within the creative industries. As Malaysia establishes its national creative policy to be at sync with the heartbeat of the emerging global creative economy - there has been nationwide expansion of creative establishments, particularly in graphic design, motion, product and web design. From here numerous surfacing of young budding talents and self initiated art collectives - all adhere with a single aspiration - and that is to create a vibrant and energetic design scene that is not only modern but also infused with a rich cultural heritage."
"Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the meaning and value of culture in the twenty-first century. In a programme recorded in front of an audience at Newcastle's Literary and Philosophical Society, Melvyn and the panel consider whether Matthew Arnold's assessment of culture as 'the great help out of our present difficulties' still has any relevance, almost 150 years after it was written."
(Melvyn Bragg, 2013)
"The Value of Culture: Two Cultures", Radio broadcast, Episode 5 of 5, Duration: 42 minutes, First broadcast: Friday 04 January 2013, Presenter/Melvyn Bragg, Producer/Thomas Morris for the BBC Radio 4, UK.
Photo credit: J. Russell, Strobel Lab, Yale University 2009