OxLEP-supported festival celebrates the diversity of the creative industries and asks what our post-lockdown future looks like

In a unique meeting of academia industry and creative professionals the inaugural Creative Industries Festival from Oxford Brookes Universityrunning from 4 to 27 May is a month-long exploration of how the creative industries can shape our lives now and in the future.

Working with OxLEP Oxford City Council the Creative Industries Federation and creative communities the festival focuses on building a vibrant more resilient future across music film mediathe visual arts and a range of other industries.

OxLEP will be hosting two panel discussions during the festival:

• 5 May at 12noon: ‘How can our globally-recognised city and county’s creative and cultural assets help drive a vibrant post-Covid-19 creative economy?’
• 17 May at 12noon: ‘What is a creative and diverse county?’

The programme of free online events will explore the future of cultural activity as we emerge from the long period of dormancy enforced by lockdown; what relationships audiences will have with producers as culture continues to shift online; and how creative industries can respond to calls for greater inclusivity and diversity.

The series of virtual talks workshops and discussions brings together practitioners policy-makers and researchers from a range of sectors including music film the visual arts live entertainment and high-tech artificial intelligence.

Away from the two OxLEP events highlights also include:

• Anneliese Dodds Labour MP for Oxford Eastwill present her alternative vision for the future and underline the importance of the creative industries (7 May)
• Star Wars actor Arti Shah shares her experiences and calls for greater diversity in blockbuster films (13 May)
• Kate Nash BRIT Award-winning singer and songwriterwill share her insights into gender and sexism in the creative industries (27 May).

Dr Hannah Yelin the Creative Industries Network Lead commented: “As our world opens up after lockdown the Creative Industries Festival allows us to take stock of how the media arts and music affects our communities now and in the future. With a grounding in research and practiceOxford Brookes University is marking this pivotal moment in our cultural lives.

“Government figures from 2020 show that UK creative industries contributed £13m to the economy every hour. The major economic challenges brought on by the pandemic will be assessed as well as the sector’s ability to bounce back in a Creative Industries Federation State of the Nation event.

“Twenty-six events that follow throughout May will show how inspiring artistic experiences can continue to engage usand how we can explore ways to develop a more inclusive society.”

Find out more on the Creative Industries Festival 2021