Money or Love: The Dilemma Unveiled
In a groundbreaking report published by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre and the University of Sussex, the economic and social value of creative higher education has been highlighted. Titled "For love or money? Graduate motivations and the economic returns of creative higher education inside and outside the creative industries," the study, authored by Martha Bloom from the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), University of Sussex, sheds light on the far-reaching impacts of creative education beyond earnings data and direct employment metrics.
The report underscores the crucial role creative higher education plays in fostering essential skills, such as critical thinking, communication, adaptability, and specialized creative skills, that drive careers across a broad range of industries, not just within traditionally defined creative jobs. This education enhances innovation capacity by integrating diverse cultural and intellectual perspectives, benefiting sectors beyond the creative industries, including technology, business, and manufacturing.
Creative industries themselves, encompassing areas like design, film, music, video games, architecture, and arts, contribute significantly to the economy, representing over 5% of the UK’s GDP and showing growth rates well above the national average. They also employ millions, boost national exports, and have multiplier effects that extend into broader economic activity.
Beyond direct economic output and earnings, creative higher education contributes to societal wellbeing and cultural expression, strengthening social cohesion and national identity through arts and culture. It also fosters internationalization and curriculum innovation by attracting diverse global talent, which in turn influences technical and creative programs. Furthermore, creative higher education provides graduates with skills transferrable across industries, bolstering economic resilience and adaptability in a rapidly changing economy.
The report also emphasizes the importance of creative higher education to the Treasury by supplying skilled employees to the creative industries, a high-growth sector of the economy. However, it suggests that using earnings as a metric for value disadvantages creative graduates who have different motivation profiles for entering work and are more likely to be self-employed, freelancers, or business owners.
The report also details the results of a survey of employers commissioned by the Creative Industries Council, revealing that creative skills are in high demand but that creative graduates are not primarily basing their career choices on pay. The survey focuses on the migrant and skills needs of creative businesses in the UK, offering insights into the potential challenges posed by the UK's departure from the EU and its impact on the way British firms trade and work with European counterparts.
The report also warns of potential disruptions to the creative talent pipeline, which could potentially harm the sustainability of the UK's fast-growing creative industries and other sectors that rely on creative work. The report was peer-reviewed prior to publication and can be accessed at this link: [https://www.our website/assets/publications/PEC%20research%20report%20-%20For%20Love%20or%20Money.pdf]
In summary, the report underscores the significant and multifaceted impacts of creative higher education, extending far beyond salary figures and direct employment metrics. It serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, educators, and industry stakeholders seeking to understand and harness the potential of creative education in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and supporting societal wellbeing.
- The report by Martha Bloom, published by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre and the University of Sussex, emphasizes the multifaceted impacts of creative higher education.
- Creative higher education plays a crucial role in honing skills like critical thinking, communication, adaptability, and specialized creative skills.
- These skills are beneficial across various industries, not just within the creative industries.
- The creative industries, including design, film, music, video games, architecture, and arts, contribute significantly to the economy and demonstrate growth rates above the national average.
- Beyond direct economic output and earnings, creative higher education contributes to societal wellbeing and cultural expression.
- Creating a culture of internationalization and curriculum innovation, creative higher education attracts diverse global talent.
- This report underscores the importance of creative higher education to the Treasury by providing skilled employees to the creative industries, a high-growth sector of the economy.
- The report reveals that employers, commissioned by the Creative Industries Council, identify a high demand for creative skills, but find that career choices are not primarily driven by pay.
- The study offers insights into potential challenges posed by the UK's departure from the EU and its impact on the way British firms trade and work with European counterparts.
