Creative Industries Sector Plan

Theatres Trust responds the plan published as part of the government's Industrial Strategy.

The Creative Industries Sector Plan, published as part of the Industrial Strategy, recognises that the creative industries ecosystem is a major driver for economic growth.

Theatres Trust welcomes the government’s focus investment in innovation and skills, which are vital to the UK’s theatre sector maintaining its position as a world leader. It is essential that UK’s theatre sector harnesses the opportunities that new technologies such as developments in digital theatre can bring for creativity and inclusion. We will be engaging with the government to ensure that the skills development programmes include those needed by both the theatre sector and the built heritage environment to sustain its talent pipeline into the future.

The Creative Places Growth Fund has the potential for exciting development in the creative industries outside of London and we will be working with the government to ensure that there is sustained investment in theatre infrastructure, building on the Creative Foundations Fund previously announced.

Away from the main headlines, there are some other helpful nuggets that will benefit the theatre sector. We wholeheartedly support the commitment to improving the use of the ‘agent of change’ principle in the planning system, which is crucial to ensuring theatres and other culture venues can continue to thrive alongside residential developments. We also welcome the recognition of the importance of an expanded and joined up approach to data collection and evidence gathering, an argument Theatres Trust has long been making. The appointment of a Creative Freelance Champion, who will have a place on the Creative Industries Council, will be welcomed by a sector with a large freelance workforce.

Theatres Trust looks forward to working with DCMS, other government departments and colleagues across the creative industries to ensure that the theatre sector can capitalise on the opportunities presented by the Industrial Strategy and the Creative Industries Plan.

The full Creative Industries Sector Plan can be downloaded from Gov.uk

Image: Digital technology in use at The Old Market, credit: Rosie Powell