Creative Returns

The Economic and Social Impact of Cultural Investment in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

The SHIPS Partnership, which comprises the local authorities of Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth, and Arts Council England (ACE), South East commissioned this study in 2005 in order to better understand the role of cultural investments in the local and regional economy and communities. The study has taken some time to appear, but we have used data from 2005 throughout, to ensure consistency.

The SHIPS partnership has the same priorities as those identified by ACE’s, ‘A vision for partnership,’ namely

• The Creative Economy
• Healthy Communities
• Vital Neighbourhoods
• Engaging Young People

and these priorities set the framework for this piece of research.

The overall purpose of the project was to enable the partners to have a greater understanding of the impact of public cultural investments, both on the economy and on the wider social priorities defined above. It is hoped that this understanding can inform policy-making and funding decisions in future.