This week, the Creative Industries Federation, alongside other key organisations within the sector, has published a new report from Oxford Economics, showing the projected impact of Covid-19 on the creative industries. The results are devastating: 1 in 5 (406,000) creative jobs could be lost and £1.4 billion a week lost in creative industries revenue.
The Creative Industries Federation are calling on government for a Cultural Renewal Fund for those who’ve been hit hardest, as well as an avoidance of a cliff-edge on vital schemes such as the Job Retention Scheme and Self Employed Income Support Scheme, which have been a lifeline for many in the creative sector.
Creativity must also be placed at the heart of our regeneration.
In April, the Federation launched the #OurWorldWithout campaign, calling on government for urgent funding for creative organisations and professionals who are being hit hardest by the fallout from the pandemic.
For those of you who have already supported the campaign, thank you. Without your support, our united voices wouldn’t have been heard as loudly. However, we still need to be louder.
Here’s some ideas from Creative Industries Federation of what you can do to help:
Write to your MP
Our MPs are a direct link to government, and are vital in addressing key areas of national concern, like the crisis taking place in the creative industries. Raise awareness that we need an urgent Cultural Renewal Fund for the creative sector and that we need to avoid a cliff-edge on support for those industries who will be latest back to work. Write to your MP and share our campaign with them.
Write to your MP and share the campaign (add your name and sign it).
WardWilliams Creative have already submitted a letter to our local MP.
Support local creators and creative businesses through Crowdfunding
Creative Industries Federation recently launched our Pay it Forward scheme with Crowdfunder, enabling creative businesses to pre-sell tickets, products, bookings and services now, to be redeemed later. The public can support creators through this (and creative businesses can register here to raise funding), giving our creative industries a vital cash injection when they need it most.
Share the amazing things that your local creative practitioners are doing
There has never been a better time to use your own social media channels to share the incredible creative work that is helping you through this difficult time. While we’ve been enjoying new TV shows, concerts, artwork and design, we mustn’t forget the brilliant people that have been busy creating it. Use your social media channels to champion creativity and to share their work. Whether via Instagram, or just on your next Zoom catch-up with friends, give creators a chance to be seen. Be sure to use the hashtag #CreatingPositivity when sharing these creations in order to create a corner of the internet brimming with colour and creativity, that people can also find inspiration in.
Add your voice to this campaign
The more people who see the startling figures published in our report, the closer we get to making real change. We must be loud enough so that government and decision makers cannot avoid hearing us.
Download and share social media graphics for your own channels.
We know that there are vital movements taking place on social media right now, and would never want to take away from these necessary voices. But we hope that there is space enough to carry on this important work, as we continue to protect the future of the creative industries.
Keep celebrating creativity
Continue to be creative. We will look back at this time and see the brilliant art and creation that took place. Let’s not lose this amazing creativity that has brought our communities so close together in these last months and weeks.
Join our Creative Coalition
We’re bringing people together from creative communities across the UK to build a Creative Coalition to strengthen our sector’s collective power and voice. We are giving our members the chance to help drive real change at the highest level for the whole of the UK’s creative industries.
The Creative Coalition is a major consultation project that will paint a picture of what our future economy and society could look like if we reimagine our sector. Our aim is to highlight the value that creativity, creative skills and the creative industries can bring to the UK’s economic, social and cultural regeneration.
Together, we can help to ensure that Our World Without Culture doesn’t become a reality. If you would like any more information please get in touch with Creative Industries Federation.
