Creative Clusters kicks off

The Creative Clusters conference launches today, and is expected to attract delegates from 35 countries to hear about creative developments across the world.

As part of speeches, debates, discussions, networking and smaller sessions, the event will discuss how the creative industries have become central to the UK’s economy.

The conference takes place at several venues across London, including the Southbank Centre and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

There will be a host of visits to projects across the city, and the themes for the event are the Creative Quarter, Opportunity in the Creative Economy, World Creative Hubs and the Creative Crowd.

At the conference, a scheme to support South West England’s creative economy will be showcased. Presented by Susi O’Neill, creative industries consultant at South West Regional Development Agency, the new scheme is said to have helped the creative and digital media sector in the region grow more rapidly than anywhere else in the UK.

After keynote opening speeches by Charles Landry, author of Creative Cities, Jude Kelly, artistic director of the Southbank Centre and Margaret Hodge, UK Minister for Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism, speakers from around the world will share their insights into the development of the creative economy.

Creative Clusters believes that creativity is the key factor driving development. The conference takes place from 9 to 14 November. For more information, visit www.creativeclusters.com