Cultural and Creative Industries Strategy

In August 2023, we and our partners (De Montfort University, University of Leicester and Arts Council England) published initial recommendations for a cultural and creative industries strategy for Leicester to help the city raise its collective ambition, create a compelling vision for what it can become, and guide priorities for the next five years. The partners undertook citywide public consultation for comment.

77 responses were received, 62 from individuals and 15 representing organisations.

Most responses were positive and supported the vision and objectives of the strategy. Some respondents thought it should go further, more clearly prioritise between the themes and actions of the strategy and set out a more ambitious vision for cultural and creative industries and communities in Leicester.

The responses gave greatest priority to:

Industry focus and accessibility: There was a strong call for the strategy to focus on creating a robust framework for developing creative talent and skills and supporting recognised events like film festivals and art shows. This included providing accessible space for creatives, which was deemed crucial for fostering growth, attracting investment, and enhancing the city's cultural and economic appeal.

Inclusivity and diversity: The strategy needs to go beyond recognising ethnic diversity and include a broader scope of community representation, including the LGBT+ community and micro-businesses. The strategy should ensure that support mechanisms are equitable and reflect the city's demographics.

Evidence-based claims and local identity: Respondents asked for the strategy to present evidence-based claims about Leicester's cultural offerings to avoid generic statements. There was a desire for the strategy to resonate with local identity, ensuring honesty about the reality of life in the city and recognition of local assets, which would help drive meaningful change and prevent the strategy from being perceived as an out-of-touch, top-down approach.

Others saw a greater opportunity to highlight and capitalise on the benefits of creative health, and the need to link the recommendations explicitly to sustainability and addressing the climate emergency.

All comments have been scrutinised and noted. We and our partners will be hosting a further engagement event at Hansom Hall on Friday 1 December 2023 to set out eight ‘Big Ideas” which have been developed on the basis of feedback from the responses. This event will include live performances which showcase the excellence of cultural activity in Leicester as well as an opportunity to comment further on the ‘Big Ideas’ and provide input into the final strategy.