How can creativity power the growth of Leicester’s economy?
Later this month, people from Leicester’s creative and cultural industries will get together to try to answer that question and explore how to take the sector to the next level.
Leicester Creative Expo brings together decision makers with designers for two days of panel discussions, presentations and social events, all based at the LCB Depot in Leicester’s Creative Quarter.
Visitors will also be able to see exhibitions and showcases, as well as find out more about some of the city’s creative networks.
The event on June 23 and 24 has been co-organised by Dr Allan Taylor, Associate Professor in media production at Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ Leicester (Æß²ÊÖ±²¥), working with partners LCB Depot.
He said: “I wanted to create an event were the creative industries could have a voice and they could speak to local stakeholders and tell them what they feel that they need.
“At the moment there’s a lot of talk about levelling up and the levelling up agenda but what does that mean for the creative industries?
“Leicester Creative Expo will set the agenda for the creative industries. This is a chance to come together as a community and re-establish the value of creativity especially in the Leicester community.
“If you work with or for the creative sector, this is your opportunity to have your voice heard by the people who matter most.”
The Government has allocated the city a further £9million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) to pay for local projects, focusing on communities, place, supporting local businesses and skills. Ideas are being put together now to form part of Leicester City Council’s investment plan.
Leicester Creative Expo will look at the potential for that funding and explore other ways of bringing financial support into the city to support creative industries.
Speakers include Ali Sinclair, chair of Trustees at Leicester Phoenix Cinema; Mike Dalzell, director of tourism, culture and investment at Leicester City Council, Yasin El Ashrafi, HQ Recording, John Coster of the Documentary Media Centre, and Councillor Danny Myers, Assistant City Mayor.
There will also be networking sessions courtesy of Creative Cocktails and Create Leicester, and a special Creative Last Fridays at LCB Depot.
Did you know?
Leicester is home to the biggest creative cluster outside of London
Leicester and Leicestershire’s creative industries is worth about £700m every year and employs more than 21,000 people
Creative industries is the fastest-growing sector of the UK economy. Jobs growth was 25% in 2011-16 compared to 7.6% average elsewhere.
Posted on Tuesday 7 June 2022