Creative Industries champion announced

Date:

08 May 2008

Press office contact:

Mina Vadon
T: +44 (0)207 307 3761
E: mina.vadon@inst.riba.org

New network to bridge creativity and technology

The UK's creative industries are set to be strengthened at the cutting edge of technology and innovation with today's announcement of a new Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) which will champion their interests with Government and the technology sector.

A KTN is a national network in a specific field of technology or business application, which brings together people from businesses, universities, research, finance and technology organisations in order to stimulate innovation through knowledge transfer and sharing of ideas.

Funded by the Technology Strategy Board and led by University of the Arts London, the Creative Industries Technology Innovation Network (CITIN) consortium includes the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Imperial College London, and Tiga, the trade association for games developers. This partnership bristles with a wealth of expertise, networks, experience and passion that makes it uniquely suitable to implement this KTN. CITIN aims to become a national and international centre of excellence, driving technology innovation across the creative industries.

CITIN will work with all sectors of the creative industries, from architecture to video games, from fashion to film, TV and new media. It will clarify the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing technology landscape and bring together creative industry companies, technology providers and researchers to exploit this potential, drive innovation, and secure the UK's international competitiveness.

As a national network, CITIN will hold engagement activities across the UK providing members opportunities to meet in person and will use an innovative web platform to facilitate collaboration and engagement in the development of a national innovation agenda for the creative industries. Membership of the network will be free, the group will begin its work in the summer.

Keith Snook, Director of Research and Technical at the RIBA, and who will be on the Management Board said:
"The objectives of this project fit perfectly with the RIBA's determination to become a true knowledge centre for architecture; the establishment of a KTN will have a significant impact on this in promoting and facilitating knowledge exchange across all the creative industries. It is a fantastic opportunity for the RIBA and architecture to be at the forefront of this important project, and to collaborate with such high calibre partners to promote the sharing of knowledge across the creative sector."

Commenting on the decision to appoint the consortium to manage the new network, the Technology Strategy Board's Chief Executive, Iain Gray, said:

"If the UK is to maintain and extend its role as the world's creative hub, we need to develop the new and innovative technologies that will support the sector in the years to come and continue to exploit well established technologies in new ways. The delivery consortium has a deep and broad understanding of the creative industries, comprehensive access to scientific and technology research and well-established capabilities in delivering knowledge transfer and networking activities. I am delighted that we will be working with them."

Notes to editors

1. For further press information contact Mina Vadon in the RIBA Press Office on 020 7307 3761 or mina.vadon@inst.riba.org |.

2. For more information about CITIN or to register your interest, visit www.citin.org |

3. The Technology Strategy Board is a business-led executive non-departmental public body, established by the government. Its mission is to promote and support research into, and development and exploitation of, technology and innovation for the benefit of UK business, in order to increase economic growth and improve the quality of life. It is sponsored by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). For further information please visit www.innovateuk.org

The Creative Industries covers a diverse range of sectors spanning arts and antiques, architecture, advertising, computer games, crafts, performing arts, TV & radio, film and video, designer fashion, software, music, design and publishing. Combined, the sector accounts for over 7% GVA and is growing at twice the rate of the economy. Globally the UK enjoys a leading position across many of the sub sectors and according to a recent OECD report contributes a greater percentage to national GDP than any other country.

The sector faces considerable challenges arising from their fragmented nature; the predominance of SME and micro organizations; the rapid change to products, services and business models brought about by digital technologies; and globalization with emerging economies such as India and China increasing their investment in knowledge skills.

4. Profiles of Consortium Partners

The RIBA is the professional body for architects in the UK, established in 1834 and granted the Royal Charter three years later. Its mission, since its inception, has been to advance architecture and promote the acquirement of knowledge thereof. It has a crucial role in UK and international education for architects and provides support to its 40 000 members in the form of training, technical services, publications and events through a well-established nationwide network of regions which maps to the current regional development agencies. The RIBA has many international connections and influences, and works in collaboration with the government to improve the design quality of the built environment. In the last few years the RIBA has also developed an "Architecture for All" partnership with the V&A, and is actively involved in helping the public learn more about the built environment through the RIBA Library and Information Centre, and its brand-new website.

The University of the Arts London comprises six internationally renowned colleges: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, Chelsea College of Art and Design, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion, Wimbledon College of Art. With more than 150 years of experience, we are Europe's largest university for art, design, fashion, communication and the performing arts. Our teaching and research have been judged as 'excellent' by independent peer review and rated by the 'Sunday Times University Guide 2006' as the UK's best modern university. In addition to teaching and research, UAL has a wide range of knowledge transfer activities generating £13.5 million in income, reflecting our commitment to adapt and innovate KT models designed for technology to the arts and design disciplines.

Imperial College London:Rated the world's fifth best university in the 2007 Times Higher Education Supplement University Rankings, Imperial College London is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and business, delivering practical solutions that improve quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture.

Tigais the Trade Association representing the UK's games development studios. Tiga's aims are to interface with government on regulatory and economic issues relating to the global competitiveness of the industry, to encourage best practice in the sector and to seek out new partnerships and opportunities for this new sector, which some believe is a nascent new medium. Tiga runs a number of cross media events and initiatives and also has a Technology Group which is interfacing with academic institutions and related industries such as computer software, to look for advantages of sharing techniques and increasing the competitiveness of the sector.