Funding boost for West Midlands creative sector

The West Midlands is one of just two areas of the UK to get government funding to boost economic growth and job opportunities in the creative sector.

Backed by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), The CreaTech Frontiers will invest £6.75 million to develop small, micro- and medium-sized businesses specialising in creative tech like video games and immersive reality.

Birmingham City University (BCU), Coventry University, the University of Birmingham, and The University of Warwick will work alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and industry partners to boost skills and develop new products, technology and multi-platform content.

This will include using VR, 3D-modelling and animation techniques in live events, and adapting video game engines for use in music, theatre and film.

The creative content and gaming sectors have the potential to generate £65m and create 1,500 jobs by 2030. 

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: "The West Midlands creative sector is booming, driven by hits like Peaky Blinders and major investments from the BBC. This new government funding provides another significant boost, meaning it can continue to grow and make its mark on the international stage.

“Audiences worldwide will hear more from the West Midlands – and not just Thomas Shelby’s Brummie brogue. This means exciting job opportunities for local people in film, TV, theatre, and gaming, showcasing the incredible talent our region has to offer."

CreaTech Frontiers is funded by investment from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) on behalf of UK Research and Innovation, which has designated the West Midlands a Creative Industries Cluster. 

Creative SMEs will be able to apply for grants from a £1.8 million fund, access academic R&D expertise, mentoring and training, and use world-class research and development labs to create new products and services. 

More than 70 paid internships and 16 funded PhDs will also be made available through the initiative to nurture talent and drive innovation among creative professionals of the future. 

Birmingham Opera Company will engage young people from deprived areas in the West Midlands in co-creating performances and discover potential careers in the sector. 

Cultural partners will also run R&D demonstrators, including experimental performance projects utilising creative technologies curated by RSC and showcased at SXSW – an annual event in Austin, Texas that combines film, media, and music festivals and conferences. 

Lamberto Coccioli, Professor of Music and Technology at BCU’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and project lead, said: “CreaTech Frontiers will bring together the most valuable assets of this region – a young and diverse talent pool, world-class research, outstanding arts organisations, and a budding tech sector – to spark innovation and stimulate growth.  

“We’re delighted to support creative technology companies in the West Midlands with a comprehensive programme of grants and skills development led by industry needs. It’s fantastic news for the people and businesses of Birmingham and beyond.” 

AHRC Executive Chair, Professor Christopher Smith, said: “AHRC is delighted to announce a new wave of Creative Industries Clusters that will create vital support for technology and innovation in the UK’s world-leading creative industries and expand our regional investment. 

“They will support artists and creators so they can benefit from new technologies across a wide range of platforms, and develop their innovation and business skills. 

“The remarkable projects made possible through our Creative Industries Clusters span sustainable fashion, game design and extended reality, and have attracted major co-investment. They have helped solve real-world problems and they deliver commercial benefits to the UK economy in line with the Government’s Industrial Strategy.”