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Kingston brings creative expertise to London

Posted Monday 11 February 2013

Kingston University is delighted to have been selected to be a partner in Creativeworks London.

Space expertise at Kingston UniversityFunded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the three-year project will see a consortium of London-based universities and cultural institutions help to boost creative businesses in the capital.

Although contributing £50bn to the economy every year, London's creative economy continues to face increasing global competition. This project will nurture new partnerships and commercial opportunities between academia and businesses in fields such as digital media, fashion, music and visual arts.

Creativeworks London will run several initiatives to link up these industries with arts and humanities research expertise including:

  • creative vouchers to help SMEs fund projects with academia;
  • networking events; and
  • PhDs and entrepreneur in residence schemes.

Our first voucher projects are between Stromatolite, a design research agency and Frank Millward, professor of fine art; Bag Servant, an online luxury handbag company and Karen Cham, principal lecturer in the Design School; and Shared Assets, a social enterprise bringing together landowners and community enterprises and Pat Brown, principal lecturer, School of Architecture and Landscape.

We have secured a PhD in residence where Kingston PhD student Alex Reynolds, will be doing a project within Furtherfield, an organisation which provides platforms for art, technology and social change.

We have also secured a creative entrepreneur in residence where Piers Roberts from Designers Block, which helps companies and designers to market their products and services worldwide, will be doing a short-term residency in Kingston University working with Dr Catherine Morel, principal lecturer and course director for Kingston's Creative Economy MA.

Professor Penny Sparke, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) said, "Kingston University has a strong reputation in shaping the future of the creative economy as demonstrated by our specialist masters programme; our award-winning entrepreneurial students and cross-disciplinary initiatives such as Digital Media Kingston. We are very excited to be part of this important scheme to bring our expertise into London's businesses to help stimulate innovation and growth."

If you are interested in participating in the project, please contact Peter Christian, business development manager on p.christian@kingston.ac.uk

Visit the Creativeworks London website for further information. The Creativeworks London group is run on behalf of the AHRC by Queen Mary, University of London and The Culture Capital Exchange. Other partners include The British Library, The British Museum, Arts Council England, BFI, BBC and the Barbican.

Kingston University is also a delivery partner for the London Creative and Digital Fusion Collaborative Awards which provides funding for SMEs in the creative and digital sectors to access support and facilities from experts within selected higher education and research organisations, such as Kingston University. Find out more.