ID062 Institute for Creative and Cultural Industries

The Idea

The idea is to develop a cross-University Keele Institute for Creative and Cultural Industries (KICCI), which will organise and increase the academic and partnership work of creative activity at Keele. It will have major benefits for research and enterprise, for student experience and success. For instance, it will coordinate events series, industry-voices masterclasses, and supply a home for existing and new public-cultural events such as Earth Stories Film Festival and Keele Creative Writing Anthology. It will enable us to deliver on Keele’s civic mission, picking up and extending the legacy of Keele Deal | Culture. With a single director and a steering committee comprising members of the University, alumni, and important partners from cultural and civic organisations, KICCI would work with the Directorate of Engagement and Partnerships to ensure that collaborations are meaningful, mutually beneficial, and sustainable.

KICCI would include those who teach, research, and practice creative and cultural disciplines at Keele, including Music, Creative Writing, Film, Media, Heritage, Game Design and Animation, Graphic Design, Marketing, and Creative Computing, meaning its activities (in partnership with Arts Keele) would provide a space for disseminating new ideas and original works (digitally and at in-person events). Importantly, it would seek to foster interdisciplinary collaborations beyond those arts and humanities disciplines, seeking applications of expertise to areas as diverse as health, education, business, engineering, and sport science. The aim is to apply for large grants, produce cutting-edge knowledge and KE (public and community engagement, cultural partnerships, and creative R&D), spotlight creativity across our campus and community, and enrich education.

Why This Idea Should Be Considered

Keele has a proud tradition of education, research, and KE in creative disciplines. The Creative Industries represent a major success of the UK economy since 2000, outstripping other sectors and identified as a priority for growth in the government’s industrial strategy (see Sector Plan here). Keele is growing an exciting portfolio and diversifying its research and external collaboration in response. Creativity is recognised as work that will not be replaced by AI, though KICCI would be well-placed to investigate AI’s roles, and our region is pushing for recognition as a creative cluster or Town of Culture. KICCI will focus, enhance, and diversify the exciting work that is underway.

How We Would Implement This Idea

Through establishment of an Institute, appointment of an academic director, and co-optation of members of a committee and an advisory or stakeholder group. Our strong partnerships with local government and regional colleges invested in creative arts, as well as major organisations including the New Vic Theatre, V&A Wedgwood, Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust, Writing West Midlands, and others suggest starting points. The current Academic Lead for Arts and Culture (0.2 FTE) role would be dissolved and an equivalent Director of KICCI established. Terms of reference, a web presence, and establishment of governance would follow. Support from Directorates as members of the committee would ensure alignment between operational and academic ambitions.

What Success Would Look Like

Success markers would include:

• Successful growth of well-recruiting educational provision, including TNE or progressions with international universities (KICCI would take portfolio development ideas to relevant committees).
• Increases in funding bids to RCUK and other bodies including Arts Council, ERC, and Leverhulme (KICCI would foster collaborations and coordinate new grant-getting activity).
• Enhanced creative and cultural activities at Keele, digitally, and regionally (KICCI will coordinate events of various sorts).
• Deeper partnerships with local, national, and global organisations to develop student placements, improve graduate outcomes, and KE more generally.
• Potential collaboration with city and council governments to develop regional bids for Town of Culture or creative cluster status, enhancing regional and civic engagement, external profile, and reputation.