Empowering the Arts: How the UK Can Lead the Way in Cultural Innovation

The arts and culture sector in the UK has long been a cornerstone of national identity and economic vitality. From the silver screen to the local theatre, from sports arenas to museum halls, these industries not only enrich the cultural landscape but also drive significant economic growth and social value. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these sectors are grappling with recovery challenges, exacerbated by shifting government priorities and funding cuts.

In this blog, we explore the current state of four key cultural sectors—cinema, sport, theatre and music, and museums and galleries—highlighting the challenges they face and the opportunities that lie ahead. With a new Labour government in place, there is a pivotal opportunity for these different sectors to make the case for reinvestment and rejuvenate these industries, ensuring they continue to thrive and contribute to the nation’s economic and social fabric. Industry experts and stakeholders emphasise that whether through increased funding, fostering international partnerships, or enhancing grassroots support, the steps taken now will shape the future of the UK’s cultural landscape for generations to come.

Cinema and Film

According to the Campaign for Arts, films and cinemas consistently generate the biggest share of arts attendances across the UK. However, like many other creative industries, the sector has not yet fully recovered from the pandemic, and since 2020, the number of cinemas in the UK has fallen by roughly 2% every year. To unlock further growth and opportunity in the UK’s film industry, there is a growing consensus that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport could reverse the trend of dwindling funding for many cultural organisations. Moreover, it is suggested that unlocking further global investment and making it easier for international production companies to operate in the UK could be beneficial, as evidenced by recent successes like "Bridgerton" and "Game of Thrones." These measures would help ensure the UK’s film industry remains at the forefront of innovation and growth, contributing to the Government’s national growth mission and continuing to provide an entry point for those wishing to engage in the arts.

Sport

After a thrilling summer of sport with the Euros, Wimbledon, and the Olympics, the UK has shown its passion for both watching and participating in sports. The challenge now is how the Government can harness this energy to keep the nation active and healthy.

The Labour Party's manifesto offers a vision for "breaking down barriers to opportunities," with a focus on increasing children's physical activity by safeguarding PE time and supporting grassroots clubs. Although sport is only briefly mentioned, it is seen as having significant potential to drive Labour’s broader goal of "rebuilding our country."

Industry voices highlight the importance of hosting more international sporting events, tackling ticket touting, and implementing the Football Governance Bill to protect club finances, indicating a positive direction for sport governance under the new government. Looking ahead, there is a strong case made for channelling this momentum into other areas of the sector—particularly sporting infrastructure—as a means of boosting the role sport can play in sustainable growth and community enhancement.

To ensure the success of sports over the next five years, the sports sector will need to persuade Government to consider investment toward three key areas of opportunity: sporting infrastructure, support for sports beyond men's football, and grassroots development. Prioritising these areas is widely regarded as essential to delivering on the promise to break down barriers to opportunities and unlock growth within communities, harnessing the powerful impact of sport as a catalyst for change.

Theatre and Music

The creative industries alone are worth ￡125 billion to the UK economy, with theatre and music forming two of the top three most attended types of arts events in England, according to recent DCMS participation statistics. It is unsurprising, therefore, that the new Government is seen as likely to harness the power of these sectors as part of its overarching mission to stimulate national growth.

The Government’s plan for the creative industries offers a roadmap for tackling some of the chronic challenges facing music and theatre. This includes a commitment to increased protections for freelancers—an integral force within the music and theatre industries—and a pledge to create alternative finance models to diversify funding sources, aiming to put the arts sectors on a more sustainable financial footing going forward. Additionally, maintaining the UK’s copyright regime is viewed as crucial to ensuring continued property rights for creators and sustained investment levels.

If successfully implemented, these plans are seen as a vital key to unlock growth in the sector and the country at large, while helping to deliver on efforts to break down barriers to opportunity and increase access to arts and culture across the country, for generations to come.

Museums and Galleries

On July 5th, newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to the nation from the Tate Modern's Turbine Hall, a British institute for art and culture. The following months saw galleries and other museums experience their busiest visiting period in the capital, with many flocking to these establishments for summertime activities. Yet, the sector continues to battle with a lack of funding and educational support. Public demand to support these iconic landmarks is evident; a YouGov survey found that 89% of UK adults think museums are important to UK culture. Additionally, 76% believe local museums add value to their area, with nearly half agreeing that museums in the UK should be mostly or entirely funded by the Government.

Industry observers note that the new Labour Government has the opportunity to mend relationships with these key institutions and engage in discussions around future funding, providing the insight needed to prevent potential crises. Furthermore, it is recognised that galleries and museums continue to play a vital role in key government missions focused on growth and the future of the next generation. Campaigners make the point that these institutions not only attract tourism to the UK but also serve as extensions of education for children and young people, making them deserving of attention as a key sector of the UK.

What Does This Mean for Businesses in the Sector?

As the UK transitions under the new Labour government, businesses in the arts, culture, and sports sectors have a unique opportunity to influence policy and ensure their voices are heard. DCMS Secretary Lisa Nandy has emphasised the immense social and economic potential of these sectors for national renewal, highlighting Labour's commitment to investing in grassroots sports and ensuring that the legacy of events like the Paris Olympics and Euro 2024 creates opportunities for every child, regardless of background. She also pointed to the importance of partnerships with local governments, businesses, and charities to accelerate growth in industries like film, theatre, and tourism, aiming to "put rocket boosters" under the economy and export the UK's incredible talent to the world.

With the upcoming Skills England Bill and Football Governance Bill, new opportunities are emerging to secure targeted support and strong regulatory frameworks that can drive sustainable growth across these industries. The Autumn Statement will further outline Labour's spending priorities, making it crucial for the arts and culture sectors to demonstrate their economic and social value to secure essential funding.

Moreover, as Labour seeks to devolve more power to local authorities, businesses are encouraged to engage with local governments to advocate for region-specific support and policies. This localised approach is viewed as essential to ensuring that the contributions of these sectors are recognised and supported both nationally and locally.

Now is the time for these industries to work closely with Government, helping shape the policies that will guide their recovery and growth, benefit the economy and society and ensure their place in the UK's cultural fabric for generations to come.