About

Dudley Community Partnership

‘Culture is at the heart of Regeneration and Economic Development and should not be hidden away in museums. It ‘ s about jobs, growth and wealth creation, people and talent.’ Prof. Justin O’Connor. Creative Cities: The Role of Creative Industries in Regeneration. Renew 2006.

The Arts and Creative Economy are an engine for enterprise development, economic growth and sustainable regeneration. They attract talent, inward investment, retail customers and a growing audience for cultural goods and services. They drive economic, cultural and social opportunity, encourage diversity and provide an anchour for other professional services and a growing knowledge economy.

In 2008 Dudley Community Partnership together with the Arts Council, Brierley Hill Regeneration Partnership, Dudley Council, the National Youth Theatre, Stourbridge College and Westfield commissioned The White Room consultants to put together a strategy to promote creative industries locally.

The White Room report pointed out that although there was much good work going on in these industries in Dudley Borough their networks were under developed. Lack of communications meant opportunities were being missed.

In June 2009 Dudley Community Partnership responded to the report by organising a networking event at the Copthorne Hotel, Brierley Hill. Almost 30 people who earned their living through creativity attended an extremely positive event. A number of suggestions were made to support the sector – improving communications, continuing to build the network, and enhancing training opportunites.

This blog is experimental. It seeks to improve communications with and between creative industries within the borough by being an noticeboard for news and information.