Reignite:
The Vision
The creative industries play a fundamental role in placemaking. Globally, the sector contributes towards developing sustainable, inclusive and more dynamic cities. The sector can deliver different strategic outcomes beyond its fundamental values, such as economic development, promoting social cohesion, creating new jobs, nurturing talent growth and driving innovation. We are calling for a new focus that reframes the Creative Industries, Digital and Tech as real opportunities to drive economic growth in the region. Through Reignite, we want to spark new conversations and invite businesses and organisations from all sectors to attend our Reignite events.
Creative Economy
Right now, the Creative Industries contributes £109 billion pounds to the UK economy and employs 2.3 million people. Most Media Arts jobs are based in London and the Southeast with 62% of the sector being located there and less than 5% of jobs in Yorkshire and the Humber, with statistics < 1% in York and North Yorkshire. One of our barriers is that Creative Industries is not placed under the same umbrella as sectors such as retail, hospitality, transport and services. York has a unique cultural heritage and a set of conditions that define it but there is untapped potential, which needs ambition, aspiration and collaboration. We are a regional city that needs to think nationally and internationally. The sector must be embedded into the ecosystem of the city through wide-scale visibility and genuine advocacy.
UNESCO City
Of Media Arts
York is 1 of 25 cities worldwide that was selected by UNESCO because of its outputs in Media Arts. Other global destinations that share this status include Austin, Texas; Sapporo, Japan; and Toronto, Canada. Our outputs in York are on a par with these global destinations. We need to offer progression routes and pathways into the creative industries. Reignite is a cross-sector vision that sees businesses of all sectors collaborating. This status should be embedded into the ecosystem of the city and all businesses – creative, heritage, retail, hospitality, transport and services – should unite behind our designation because collectively we can go much further.
