The Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy has announced the launch of Creative Nation, a new programme for creative and digital businesses in the UK.
Announced by Ed Vaizey MP, at Creative England Live’s Catalyst event, held at Google’s London headquarters today, Creative Nation seeks to challenge creative and digital businesses across the country to build industry-wide innovative solutions.
Ed Vaizey MP, Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy, said in a statement: “Government is already helping to create the right environment for UK businesses to continue to grow, so I am delighted to launch the new Creative Nation programme bringing large organisations and smaller companies together. It will encourage big businesses from across the UK to explore the boundless possibilities for growth and innovation that the UK’s many small, but exceptionally talented, creative businesses can offer.”
Alongside the announcement, Vaizey spoke about the need for a new corporate partner to join forces with Creative England and match its £250,000 pledge to invest in the UK’s most disruptive entrepreneurs.
Caroline Norbury MBE, CEO at Creative England, said: “Creative England invests in and works with hundreds of small creative businesses all over the country and I’ve been continually impressed and inspired by people I’ve met who are using cutting-edge technology, creativity and innovation to address a whole array of diverse market needs – in everything from healthcare to retail, insurance, education and hospitality.
“As digital technology becomes increasingly important to a range of industry sectors, more big brands are starting to wise up to the immense benefits of outsourcing innovation by collaborating with small creative disruptors. Creative Nation is our way of celebrating and showcasing just how powerful creative business can be when it comes to cross-industry collaboration and developing products that extend well beyond the creative industries themselves.”
Potential Creative National partners could be medium or large private sector organisations who would then work with Creative England to develop the Creative Nation Brief. Creative England is expected to launch a national call for submission from the small creative and digital businesses later this year.