‘Creative clusters’ promote artistic growth

Dundee and Bristol are among the British cities set to benefit from an £80m “creative clusters” programme of government spending intended to create hubs in which academics and artists work together.

The scheme, administered by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, is part of the government’s industrial strategy. It work across include nine locations.

In the Bristol cluster, which extends to Bath, the cities’ universities will work with Aardman Animation, the Watershed arts venue, the BBC and the Royal Shakespeare Company to develop the region’s screen and stage performance sector – and help it embrace emerging technologies.

“This is a golden opportunity to solidify the south west’s reputation as a centre of excellence in the creative technology sector,” said Professor Jane Roscoe of the University of the West of England.

In another cluster, Dundee University, Abertay University and St Andrews University will work with Creative Scotland on a new video game design centre, the Dundee Courier reports.

Innovation for Games and Media Enterprise, or InGAME, represents a “really significant investment for the Dundee games industry which will have benefits for studios across the UK”, said Professor Gregor White of Abertay University.

“As well as pushing forward new technological innovations, we will be seeking to find innovative solutions to some of the challenges faced by games companies,” he added.

The programme will also include funding for a new Policy and Evidence Centre charged with finding better ways to quantify the economic strength of the UK’s creative industries.

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