Leading in European cultural research
17 June 2010
LJMU and the University of Liverpool’s collaborative new Institute of Cultural Economics (ICE), will be led by Phil Redmond, LJMU Honorary Fellow, and Chair of the Independent Advisory Panel for the first ever UK City of Culture.
This innovative European centre will be focused on culture-led regeneration following Liverpool’s success during 2008.
ICE aims to improve policy-making around cultural innovation in Europe, drawing on the city’s experience in the delivery of a major culture-led regeneration programme. The Institute will be open to research commissions from organisations across Europe, bringing together researchers, policy makers and cultural practitioners. It will build on the success of the ‘Impacts 08’ research programme undertaken by the universities to evaluate the success of Liverpool’s Capital of Culture status, which has generated interest from European policy makers. The work helped establish the current UK City of Culture programme.
Professor Phil Redmond, who is also the former Creative Director of Liverpool’s term as European Capital of Culture said: “Whether creating television or shepherding a giant spider through the city streets, culture unites people and draws them to particular events or ideas. Just as culture can change minds, broaden horizons and stimulate imaginations, so too can it create economic impact.
Culture creates footfall and footfall means people. People spend money and money is the fuel of the regeneration engine. Put another way, ICE will explore and encourage the process of engaging people in cultural activity that leads to meaningful activity that offers the potential for social enterprise and economic development.
This is one of the main drivers behind the UK City of Culture programme. Cities have seen what cultural economics has done for Liverpool and are looking at how it can bring about similar step changes for their own communities and citizens. ICE will be there to help. To build on Impacts 08 – not simply from ‘what was done’ to ‘what needs to be done’, but more importantly, ‘how it can be done’.
The Impacts 08 study found that Liverpool’s historic stereotypical image, often associated with social deprivation, has been replaced by a renewed emphasis on the city’s contemporary culture. It also found that by the end of 2008, 85% of Liverpool residents believed the city was a better place to live than before the Capital of Culture award.
Researchers at the new Institute will study the impact of cultural activity on health and well-being, community cohesion and social inclusion as well as economic development and regeneration. Supported by Liverpool City Council and the Liverpool Primary Care Trust, the Institute will also provide the evidence base to direct further regeneration of Liverpool through cultural activity.
Adam Cooper, Head of Research at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s Evidence and Analysis Unit, said: “We welcome this new initiative. The Institute for Cultural Economics will undertake valuable research that will inform future policy on regeneration in the UK and Europe. Liverpool can offer great insights into the changes that are possible through cultural endeavour and its universities, in collaboration with key public sector agencies and the arts sector, are set to bring significant benefits to regeneration programmes across Europe.”
Liverpool John Moores University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Brown, said: “There is increasing demand across Europe for evidence-based policy around cultural regeneration, as well as an understanding of what works. With significant expertise in cultural research at its two universities, and unrivalled success as European Capital of Culture, Liverpool is well-placed to help direct future regeneration in Europe.”
University of Liverpool Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Howard Newby, said: “Liverpool is a world leader in cultural intervention and regeneration with unrivalled cultural assets. The Institute will build new and exciting research collaborations to underpin future regeneration projects in Europe and will position Liverpool as a world-leader for innovation in cultural research.”
For further information about the Institute for Cultural Economics (ICE) please contact the Dean of the Faculty of Media, Arts and Social Science, Professor Roger Webster, via R.J.Webster@ljmu.ac.uk or 0151 231 5016.
