The ‘Hub’ - the new creative industries’ support serviceKey elements of public investment have been put in place by the Welsh Assembly Government to encourage the growth of the creative industries in Wales, such as: More and better strategic investment in Wales-based creative businesses.A new strategic approach to providing business support for the creative industries.Re-focussed training.A new £7million Wales Creative IP fund, designed to secure work for Wales and its creative businesses.The ‘Hub’ Creative industries’ support in Wales has been restructured and unified to create the ‘Hub’, or the new Wales Creative Industries’ Support Service. With a ‘Hub and spokes’ structure, the ‘Hub’ will provide focused, sophisticated support as illustrated in the following figure:  The ‘Hub’ is made up of professional advisors with a balance of skills and creative industries’ experience who will work with creative businesses to spearhead the development of the creative industries in Wales. An advisory panel of industry figures will guide the ‘hub’. The same team will act as expert advisors to the Welsh Assembly Government’s new Economic Development and Transport organisation and its subsidiaries on all creative industries issues. Examples of how the ‘Hub’ can help creative businesses Examples of how the ‘Hub’ can help include: help to secure investment from a range of sources or providers, including those available exclusively in Wales. support to encourage more business to be conducted with Wales-based creative businesses. they will help creative businesses to implement major projects.The ‘Hub’ - a central focus of support The Welsh Music Foundation, Cultural Enterprise Services and Ffilm Wales will represent the ‘spokes’ in the ‘hub and spokes’ structure and will work under the direction of the ‘Hub’. Indeed, the ‘Hub’ will become a central focus of future support for the creative industries in Wales, whilst: The Welsh Music Foundation will be a focal point for the music sector in Wales.Cultural Enterprise Services will provide a mentoring service for smaller creative businesses.Ffilm Wales will promote Wales’ vibrant and dynamic film industry. Ffilm Wales will be operational from April, 2006. The ‘hub’ will also partner with agencies with whom it shares a common purpose, such as Skillset Cymru, the Creative and Cultural Skills sector skills council, Finance Wales and Nesta to provide a true ‘one-stop-shop’ |
