Research* indicates that the total GVA (Gross Value Added) of the creative sector in the West Midlands was over £2.5bn back in 2001– and we’re still growing! It has also been suggested that the region could see 250,000 new jobs in the creative and cultural sector over the next seven years. So there’s work to be done to put the case for the creative and cultural industries to local and national government funding bodies and influence investment and decision making at the highest level.

*Report prepared by Fred Brookes Cultural Research and Strategy September 2004 for Culture West Midlands: http://www.culturewm.org.uk/docs/files/Creative%20Ind%20final.doc