Consumers choose to spend their cash on cultural attractions when the going gets tough according to West Midlands Cultural Observatory

They said it would happen and according to research published this week by the West Midlands Cultural Observatory it is happening: the recession has caused consumers to be more selective about what cultural products and services they spend their cash on.
Evidence cited in the latest recession paper suggests that over the Spring and Summer months, [...]

Cultural sector recession survey – can you help?

The West Midlands cultural sector recession survey for the July–September 2009 quarter is now live.
If you work in the region’s cultural sector we’d appreciate your help in getting the word out.
It’d be great if you could encourage any cultural venues and organisations based in the region that you are in contact with to complete the [...]

Speakers announced for the 2009 conference

One month to go until the Observatory’s 2009 conference - “West Midlands: Fit for the Future?” – on Tuesday 20th October at the Ramada Hotel in Sutton Coldfield.
Book online or fax us a booking form
Entitled “West Midlands: Fit for the Future?”, the conference will follow on from a book of the same name launched by the [...]

Diagnosis of the Active People Survey online diagnostic tool

Active People Diagnostic is an interactive online tool that enables you to explore Sport England’s Active People Survey results in detail.
I’ve been aware of this tool for some time, but have recently become more interested in its capabilities since the results of the second Active People Survey were added – meaning the tool now allows [...]

West Midlands culture: an antidote to the downturn?

According to the latest cultural sector economic snapshot (PDF, 360kb) published this week by the West Midlands Cultural Observatory, culture will have its role to play in the region’s post-recession recovery.
Evidence cited in the new paper suggests that West Midlands residents may be turning to culture as an antidote to the downturn.
Visitor numbers for local [...]

Regional perceptions indicator for the West Midlands

England’s glory or England’s shame – what’s your opinion of the West Midlands?
We all have perceptions about places and they shape what we do, where we go and how we invest.
Because of this we are now running a research project to find out what perceptions people have about the West Midlands, and how it compares with [...]

Latest recession research highlights contrasting fortunes of cultural organisations in the West Midlands

Consumers are behaving in unusual ways and this is having a conflicting impact on our region’s cultural venues.
While our visitor attractions are bucking the national trend and attracting more visitors, there continues to be cause for concern amongst architectural, advertising, arts and business tourism professionals, many of whom are battling against a tide of reduced [...]

Guidance for local authorities undertaking research into culture

Ever read through a research report and wished that you could have the same types of information for the geographical area that you live and work in?
With this in mind, the West Midlands Cultural Observatory has just published a guidance paper (Word, 226KB) aimed at local authorities in the West Midlands who want to replicate [...]

How is the West Midlands cultural sector performing during the recession?

Economic research launched in March 2009 by the West Midlands Cultural Observatory has helped to shed light on how the region’s cultural and creative sector is performing during the current economic downturn — an area which has not been the subject of sustained research in the past.
The economic snapshot paper (Word, 306KB) includes the results of [...]

New research on the impact of culture in the West Midlands

New research produced by the West Midlands Cultural Observatory has boosted understanding of the social and economic role that culture has played in the West Midlands over recent years.
Long term economic trends suggest that the sector is expanding, employing more people and increasing its GVA and turnover output year-on-year.
For example, the Culture & Prosperity (PDF, [...]

Creative industries economic estimates

The annual creative industries economic estimates are now available from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Statistics are provided on:

Gross value added of the creative industries
Exports of services for the creative industries
Creative employment
Numbers of businesses within the creative industries in the UK

The figures are for 2006/2007, the latest available period.
Dave Harte has usefully pulled out [...]

Acknowledging the cross-sector importance of culture

October has been an important month for colleagues at the West Midlands Regional Observatory.
Not only was the State of the Region Report 2008 launched, along with the Regional Integrated Economic Assessment, the Observatory held its annual conference, attracting a good cross-section of the region’s key thinkers and policy-makers. In all three cases, the importance of [...]

Uncertainty over the future of regional cultural research

Chair of the Cultural Research & Intelligence Group and Chief Executive of Museums, Libraries & Archives (MLA) in the West Midlands, Jon Finch provides some insight into the current situation for regional cultural research:

Ethnicity and social class: most influential factors in West Midlands’ cultural participation

According to the Regional Lifestyle Survey, of all demographic factors, residents’ ethnicity and social class best predict what they choose to do with their leisure time and how much importance they attach to local cultural facilities.
The Survey, published by the West Midlands Regional Observatory in 2005, used a region-wide postal questionnaire to explore a range [...]

Significant increase in participation in arts activities by West Midlands’ residents

August 2008 saw the much anticipated release of the Taking Part Survey 2006/07 results.
The annual survey, produced by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, collects data about engagement and non-engagement in culture, leisure and sport by adults aged 16 and over. The latest results show a number of positive trends for the West Midlands.