Strategies for connecting low income communities to the creative economy through play : two case studies in Northern England

Symons, J; Hurley, UK

Abstract

This ground-breaking research defines a new approach for engaging low income and
disenfranchised communities in the creative economy. The authors propose that
demystifying creativity and reframing it as an adaptive productive process can lead to a
flourishing of aspiration and potential among target communities. Through research in
a low income community and among disabled people in Northern England, the authors
found that focusing on rubrics of exploration, play and 'purposeful meandering' tackled
anxieties around creative production and a lack of confidence and self-belief. This
emphasis on all people as cultural producers however needs to connect with clearer
pathways into the creative industries.

Citation

Symons, J., & Hurley, U. (2018). Strategies for connecting low income communities to the creative economy through play : two case studies in Northern England. Creative Industries Journal, 11(2), 121-136. https://doi.org/10.1080/17510694.2018.1453770

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 10, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Apr 4, 2018
• Publication Date: Apr 4, 2018
• Deposit Date: Mar 15, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 11, 2018
• Journal: Creative Industries Journal
• Print ISSN: 1751-0694
• Publisher: Intellect
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 121-136
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17510694.2018.1453770
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17510694.2018.1453770
• Related Public URLs: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rcij20/current
• Additional Information: Projects : “In the Making: a co-constructed mapping and feasibility study of digital fabrication labs and their potential to catalyse cultural change”. It also draws on the work of “Cultural Intermediation”.