The Cultural Observatory is a resource for all those with an interest in the cultural sector in the West Midlands region.
We provide intelligence and evidence relating to the scope, scale and significance of the cultural and creative industries, highlighting the inter-linkages between culture and the regional economy, people and places.
Who we are
The Cultural Observatory was launched in response to an options study (PDF, 115 KB) conducted by Birmingham University in 2004. We are a joint initiative between Culture West Midlands (Regional Cultural Consortium), the Regional Cultural Forum and are located at the West Midlands Regional Observatory.
What we do
- Contribute to the development of evidence-based policy making in the region and nationally.
- Champion the benefits of integrated cultural research and data collection in the West Midlands region.
- Develop collaboration in cultural research across the public sector, particularly with the region's higher and further education institutions.
- Improve the dissemination of cultural intelligence, developing effective routes for bottom-up and top-down distribution.
- Work towards the development of a sustainable and appropriate delivery model for cultural research and intelligence in the West Midlands.
More specifically, the work of the Cultural Observatory is guided by the Regional Cultural Intelligence Action Plan 2006-2008 (PDF, 1.08 MB) devised by the Cultural Research & Intelligence Group (CRAIG).
Over the next year (2008 - 09), we will be producing three evidence papers which draw together what we know about the impact of culture on 'prosperity', 'people' and 'place' in the West Midlands. Not only will these papers inform regional policy, they will provide a useful reference tool for everyone in the sector needing to 'make the case' for culture. The first paper to be developed will look at the economic impact of culture, building on our Growing the Cultural Economy in the West Midlands (2007) report.
We welcome engagement with all in the cultural sector and beyond. We seek to widen discussion and participation through the Cultural Research & Intelligence Network (CRAIN).