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Digital role model for rest of UK
THE multi-million pound success of a South Yorkshire-wide community economic development programme could prove to be a role model for the UK's creative and digital industries, according to a top Government advisor for the sector and the Arts Council.
The 1.3m Creative Exchange programme, funded by Yorkshire Forward and European Regional Development Fund, is looking to secure 6m toward the future of three landmark regeneration projects in Sheffield.
John Street's Stag Works is aiming to become a creative music hub; Burngreave Chapel is looking to be transformed into a sustainable space for creative, community and commercial use, and Heeley's Ash Tree Yard is seeking redevelopment into 15,000 square feet of environmentally friendly workspace for local creative businesses.
Dr Tom Fleming, who contributed to the Government's new national strategy for the sector entitled "Creative Britain: New Talent for the New Economy", said: "The success of Creative Exchange: South Yorkshire has the potential to be a role model for the UK.
"The feasibility studies it funded has helped community enterprises secure land and buildings and has given them the confidence to take a number of landmark projects up to the next level."
Creative Exchange: South Yorkshire has targeted disadvantaged communities with the aim of connecting them to the potential of the fast growing creative and digital industries sectors. Two 'Get Connected' networking events were both successful in attracting hundreds of delegates and top speakers like international entrepreneur and founder of London's celebrated Enterprise Hub concept Jonathan Robinson and Director of Mentor UK, Rick Armstrong.
The project not only helps promote and establish local controlled development trusts it also encourages financial sustainability from the purchase of building assets and the renting of workspace.
Andy Jackson, Director of Heeley Development Trust and spokesperson for Ash Tree Yard Creative Industries Hub, said: "Creative Exchange has given us the chance to do something we have talked about for a long time and not had the means to achieve.
They have backed us up, delivered what they promised on time and, really importantly, they believed in us."
The scheme, delivered by Sheffield's Cultural Industries Quarter Agency, is set to exceed nearly all its targets of creating and supporting jobs and businesses as well as training and networking people together via events and workshops.
Amy Carter, Creative Exchange Programme Manager, said: "We're absolutely overjoyed about the success of the programme and the lasting impact we're making on the region's economy."
Amy is set to leave Creative Exchange to take up a new post as Head of Arts, Museums and Cultural Promotion at Sheffield City Council .
She added: "I'll be very sad to leave a job I've loved but I'm remaining on Cultural Industries Quarter Agency Board and will continue to support and take an active interest in the work.
"I have been supported throughout by an experienced and dedicated team so I am confident that this Project can, if current funding applications are successful, be extended so that further economic benefit can be delivered to the neighbourhoods most in need of new jobs and businesses. "
Malcolm Warrington, Creative Industries Officer for the Arts Council said: "Arts Council England welcomes the significant returns from its investment and partnership with the CE:SY project. It has provided strong support and capacity building for the sector where it is really needed, with access to the right skills and tools for business development."
Creative Exchange: South Yorkshire (CE:SY) is part financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund as part of the South Yorkshire Objective 1 Programme and Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency for Yorkshire and the Humber with additional support from Sheffield City Council, Citylife's Sheffield Bond and Arts Council England.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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