British experts call for national plan to improve cultural, creative industries

British cultural leaders and scholars have called for a national plan for the cultural and creative industry that would maximize cultural, economic and social return.

In a report released Tuesday, named "Enriching Britain: Culture, Creative and Growth", British experts argue that the cultural and creative industries are one entity, an ecosystem, which is becoming increasingly important to British life, economy and its place in the world.

"However, we are failing to building on our strengths as a creative nation, or realize an acceptable degree of access and participation," the report said.

The report is led and conducted by the University of Warwick. In November 2013, the University launched a one-year commission to undertake a comprehensive and holistic investigation into the future of British cultural value.

The report said that the lack of "joined up policy making" is limiting participation and not realizing the full value of public investment. It believes that any further reductions from current levels of public investment will undermine the ecosystem, which is meaning less creative risk, talent development, and diminishing future financial and creative returns. Meanwhile, the level of access and participation still "comprehensively fail" to reflect the rich diversity of British population, it stresses.

Data showed that the cultural and creative industries are the fastest growing industry in Britain. The gross value added of the sector was estimated at 76.9 billion pounds (120 billion U.S. dollars) in 2013, representing five percent of the country's economy. And according to Britain-based charity organization Nesta's projection, the share of British cultural and creative industries would be approaching 10 percent in the future.

Vikki Heywood, chairwoman of the commission, said in the press release event here: "The key message from this report is that the government and the cultural and creative industries need to take a united and coherent approach that guarantees equal access for everyone to a rich cultural education and the opportunity to live a creative life."

Heywood, who is also chairwoman of Britaian's Royal Society of Arts, added: "We cannot afford to be complacent. Unless the challenges to the Cultural and Creative Industries identified by this report are recognized and addressed, we will not maintain this high international regard Britain has or be able to compete artistically and commercially with other world players."

In the report, the commission, comprised of a diverse group of cultural leaders and scholars, delivers a five-point recommendation in further strengthening the sector, which includes:

-- a national plan for the comprehensive improvement of the public funded arts, cultural and heritage sector;

-- an assurance that all children up to the age of 16 receive a broad cultural education;

-- a free digital public space;

-- cultural organizations and projects in receipt of public funding;

-- the creation of local consortia of public and private investors to develop place-based strategies answering local cultural and creative needs. (1 pound = 1.54 U.S. dollars) Endit