The first piece of targeted research into the creative sector in Ramsgate and its future needs in the region is now underway.
Heritage Lab CIC and Canterbury Christ Church University are working in partnership on the project which is funded by Locate in Kent and Arts Council England. The research will map current creative businesses in Ramsgate, and also seek to identify the future scale and need for workspace in the area, vital to future growth.
It will also help to identify how funders and investors could better support the local creative industries and determine how Ramsgate might grow as a creative hub.
The project team is asking all local creative businesses within the CT11 and CT12 area, or local residents who work in areas such as design, film, TV and radio, music, crafts, performance arts, software and computer services, visual arts or marketing and advertising, to come forward and be part of the research.
To take part, all people need to do is complete a short on-line survey, by Friday (September 6).
‘Booming’ sector
Rob Kenyon, from Heritage Lab CIC, said : “The digital and creative industries are highlighted by the government as a priority for growth with the aim for the UK to become a world leader in this area.
“Nationally the sector is booming. UK creative industries generate more than £100bn a year to the UK economy and employ more than 2m people. This growth is echoed locally where the creative industries in Thanet grew by 84% in the four years to 2017, and around a quarter of these are thought to be based in Ramsgate.
“However, in a recent survey of 144 creative individuals in Thanet the number one priority for them was access to affordable workspace. The availability of appropriate accommodation is a key enabler to growth. One of our aims through this research is to identify the future need for accommodation for the sector within Ramsgate and to support the sector develop.”
Opportunities
Dr Gillian Youngs, Professor of Creative and Digital Economy at Canterbury Christ Church University, said: “Ramsgate has strong and rich cultural heritage and in recent years has begun to embrace the opportunities that the creative industries can bring to the area.
“As a leading supporter of the arts and creative industries within Kent and Medway we are delighted to be working in partnership with the Heritage Lab CIC, Locate in Kent and The Arts Council on this research that aims to help Ramsgate continue its growth and development and become a leading cultural hub for the region.
“We would really like to hear from people employed in the sector, freelancers, sole traders, or businesses in Ramsgate as part of this research.”
Get involved
To take part in the on-line survey visit: https://canterbury.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/ramsgate-creatives
The key findings will be published in a report in the autumn and be available to help funders and people working in the sector to better support the creative and digital sector in Ramsgate over the next five years.
You can also help the research by taking part in a meeting to discuss what makes Ramsgate a unique base for the creative sector.
This takes place on Thursday, September 12, 7.45pm for 8pm start, at Archive Homestore Ramsgate. Anyone interested in attending this free event can register for tickets via Eventbrite here, or email: [email protected]