Overview
This paper explores the role of the Creative and Cultural Industries in creating, supporting and enhancing social and cultural infrastructure. It summarises and synthesises the discussion from two roundtable events that brought together a wide range of stakeholders and representatives from across the creative and cultural industries including museums and heritage, film and TV, architecture, community arts, literature, dance, theatre, and visual art.
These roundtables emphasised how the creative and cultural industries play an important role in enhancing social and cultural infrastructure. They strengthen and support the local areas in which they are located through building skills and job creation as well as providing time and space for many forms of creativity. Community engagement activity in these sectors can have a wide range of benefits including improved social, health, and environmental outcomes and a positive impact on psychological and emotional wellbeing. Furthermore, cultural and creative initiatives are crucial in facilitating opportunities for creative expression within and across different places and communities.