Diverse Capacities: Building A Knowledge Exchange Network For Creative Industries In The Solent

The 2021 LGA Commission on Culture and Local Government has noted that despite the £1billion spent per year on culture by local councils in the UK, strategies for regional cultural communities are fragmented, often relying on under-engaged decision-making processes (Young: 2021). There are also a complex series of challenges for creative practitioners and arts organisations in the UK since the pandemic. Arts organisations are struggling to source freelancers essential to their creative programming, creating an increased need for networkers and cultural connectors. These changes have exacerbated some of the long-standing structural and social barriers to inclusion, equity, and engagement in the creative industries.

This project addressed these challenges by building a new knowledge exchange network for the creative industries in the Solent, improving connectivity for creative practitioners across the region. Working with Southampton City Council, the CHAOS Network, and Portsmouth Asian Socio-Cultural Organisation, we connected local government officers (LGOs) with a cultural remit with creative freelancers across the region.

Through a series of workshops, creative activities, collaborative commissions, exhibitions, and mentoring sessions, we also supported an existing network of writers of South Asian heritage in the region to work as cultural connectors and advocates, introducing them to new digital technology and international creative networks.

We showcased new models of connectivity and networking through a policy brief and report, an exhibition video and 'think-kit' of resources, a published anthology and series of creative commissions, and a public programme of in-person events and training sessions held in underserved areas across the Solent.

The project activities took place in four phases:
1. Connection - Opening workshops, held in the University of Southampton's Digital Humanities Hub, helped us identify and map our connections and gaps in regional provision for cultural activities
2. Immersion - We ran four workshops on the theme of 'Writing Beyond Sectors' for 8 creative industries freelancers identified and recruited through CHAOS network, a regional forum for creative freelancers
3. Enmeshing - Our freelancers were invited to take part in a series of collaborative paid commissions, while a network of local writers were trained to act as connectors and advocates for culture, running workshops in Gosport, Portsmouth, Rushmoor, Isle of Wight, and the New Forest with members of the Portsmouth Asian Socio-Cultural Organisation
4. Reflection - The project team held a final launch event and exhibition of creative works created throughout the project at Digital Humanities @ Soton

Our immersive workshops and events helped build deeper connections between LGOs, creative industries freelancers, and cultural networks, helping to augment regional capabilities and strengthen the connections supporting our cultural infrastructure.