Government adds its support to new arts innovation centre
The Government has given its backing to a new creative innovation centre in Birmingham, which intends to support the arts-based businesses across the Midlands.
Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said new centre, part of Birmingham City University’s (BCU) STEAMhouse project, would help the region develop the innovative businesses of tomorrow.
By connecting the Arts with the STEM subject areas (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), STEAMhouse aims to provide support to 200 sole traders, start-ups and local businesses by offering access to expertise and finance for growth.
The new centre, which involves the refurbishment of a former car dealership in Digbeth, is being developed in partnership between the university and Birmingham arts organisation Eastside Projects.
Ms Bradley said: “It was fantastic to meet the brilliant team behind the STEAMhouse project and hear all about the exciting plans to create a world-leading innovation centre.
“I was particularly impressed by the collaborative spirit of the project, which will help boost skills in the fields of arts, science, technology, engineering and maths.
“This will help make sure the creative talent in the West Midlands can go on to develop the innovative businesses of tomorrow.”
The initiative will inform a later, second phase of the STEAMhouse project, which has already received £14m from the Government. It will see the development of incubation and office spaces, teaching facilities, co-working and maker spaces, and artists’ studios, and has the potential to create many new jobs.
Due to open in early 2018, STEAMhouse’s pilot phase will bring together academics, entrepreneurs, designers, makers, future talent and organisations to foster greater innovation, develop new products, and support economic growth with a programme of business support. It will house substantial new fabrication facilities with equipment and staffing to support production and making.
Professor Julian Beer, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, BCU, said: “Our STEAMhouse project will optimise the potential to create new jobs, skills, knowledge and alliances between businesses, academics, artists and citizens like never before.”
STEAMhouse is backed by the European Regional Development Fund and Arts Council England.
It will support the growth sectors of health and life sciences, low carbon, creative and digital technologies and advanced manufacturing across the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) area.
Ms Bradley was also shown the new £57m Royal Birmingham Conservatoire during her visit.
Pictured from left: Professor Julian Beer, Culture Secretary Karen Bradley and Professor Julian Lloyd Webber, Principal, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham City University.
