University awarded £500,000 to boost cultural economy

BIRMINGHAM City University is to help boost Birmingham and Solihull’s cultural and creative economy after being awarded a £500,000 grant.
 
In partnership with Eastside Projects, the funds will support the university’s STEAMHouse project, which links the expertise of its Arts, Design and Media academics with specific challenges facing Health, Low Carbon and Manufacturing businesses across the West Midlands.  
 
The money comes from the Arts Council’s Creative Local Growth Fund, with BCU being one of nine organisations in England to be awarded funding.
 
STEAMHouse will bring together academics, creative entrepreneurs, politicians and researchers to provide innovative business support for 270 creative enterprises, generating new research opportunities and piloting Birmingham Production Space’s workshops and ‘making space’.
 
STEAMHouse builds on a growing acceptance of the need to add ‘Arts’ to the longstanding concept of ‘STEM’ subjects – Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths – ensuring that the needs of the creative economy are more closely aligned to scientific and technological developments.
 
Professor Julian Beer, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research, Enterprise and Business Engagement, Birmingham City University said: “This Arts Council grant is incredibly welcome funding to support the development of our STEAMHouse project, which will put Birmingham City University at the centre of Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP’s strategic plans to stimulate collaborative innovation.
 
“STEAMHouse will link the flourishing creative economy across the West Midlands with the needs of local authorities and businesses, providing arts-driven solutions to real-life problems and bringing academic and research expertise out of the shadows into the world of commerce.
 
“Hundreds of small and medium sized creative businesses in the region are already showing the UK economy the way forward but with the support of STEAMHouse in developing new forms of production, they will be able to thrive more than ever.”
 
Through STEAMHouse, BCU and Eastside Projects will establish links with local innovation and arts facilities.
 
The aim is to create a network of organisations across the city focused on cultural, commercial and socially useful production.
 
Anita Bhalla, Board Director, Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) said: “We are delighted that Birmingham City University has been awarded Creative Local Growth Funding for the STEAMHouse project.

“The need to drive the skills base around Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull (GBS) area is at the heart of the GBSLEP’s Strategy for Growth.”