Musings

Breaking with convention

6th March 2025

Last week I attended the Convention of the North 2025: Place and Culture programme in Preston.

Part of the programme was considering what cultural devolution means not only for Lancashire, but also other places sharing similar characteristics across the wider ‘north’.

It was definitely an eye-opening day

It was interesting and encouraging to learn about the various organisations involved, like the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, an independent research centre for the UK’s creative industries, along with the One Creative North strategy report that’s due to be released in the coming months.

Yet this was juxtaposed by the shocking revelation of just how much disparity and deprivation there is in our region. I was saddened to hear stories of children in seaside towns all over the North living just a mile or two from the beach and yet who’ve never actually been.

Where was the diversity?

One audience member commented that the panels were made up of the same voices, all saying the same things as we’ve heard before, just with a new ‘devolution’ spin. Where were the creators, creatives, artists, makers?

I must admit, I felt like I didn't belong - a lowly one-man-band copywriter in a world of policy makers, directors, big wigs. But don't we need to hear the smaller voices too?

If we are going to make the changes then surely we need the passion from those 'doing the do'. Yes I understand that big change needs the big boys, but wars are not won from war rooms alone. They need boots on the ground. Those with the pride and determination to fight for what they believe in.

Conventional wisdom?

‘Collaboration’ and ‘devolution’ were the buzz words for the day, which in some respects seem at odds, but the hope is that by drawing power and funds from the central government down in the sinister south, it can be put to better use here in the north. Seeing us join together as ‘One North’ or ‘Brand North’, separate from the country as a whole.

However, some Mayors seemed more concerned with getting their hands on the cash to invest in their town in their way. But as one commenter said, “where does that leave the towns who don't go down the devolution route?”. Will struggling areas just fall further behind? Will ‘Brand North’ just become a network of key players, strengthening the already strong at the expense of their weaker neighbours?!

It was highlighted there’s a need to set a standard for the north as a whole and to recognise that each initiative and town alone isn’t going to make real change, it’s by working across borders and joining up that we’ll achieve far more. It’ll be interesting to read the One Creative North strategy report when it’s published in May, to see what it makes of our chances to make real change, if we unite properly.

“If you can see it, you can be it”

Harley Keasey

It was refreshing to hear Harley Keasey, a UCLAN student, share that in her experience creativity is more alive in the North than in other places. Harley has found that people are desperate to share their creativity, but they need the outlets to help them thrive. They’re craving validation and for their creativity to be valued.

However, as one panellist said “talent is classless, opportunity isn’t”. There’s a real need for consistent and sustainable skills and training as well as opportunities and programmes to allow people from all walks to life to experience arts and culture.

What next?

Creating a stronger, united 'brand north' is going to be no mean feat. There's a lot to be done and a lot of 'needs' highlighted, including:

We need to work together, for the good of everyone, not just a few.
We need to set a standard for the north as a whole.
We need show people what's out there.
We need to provide shining examples of what's possible.
We need to give people the opportunity to get into the creative industries.
We need to provide consistent, sustainable and on-going training and development.

My synopsis of the day

I think anything that promotes the creative industries in the north has got to be a good thing.

Could there have been more diversity? Yes
Could there have been more fringe events? Yes
Could we have seen more involvement and participation from industry, creatives and young people? Yes

But, I really appreciate the huge efforts and positive step that the Convention heralds. It was also a great opportunity to showcase Preston to the north's major players. I say let's do more of this. Let's give other towns and districts in our great north have their moment in the spotlight.

Let's use that northern grit of ours.
Let's build momentum.
Let's turn the whispers into shouts.
And let's create a strong, united and creative north.

It's the wrong trousers, Gromit!

Let’s just hope we don't end up in the wrong trousers situation, where the true innovators and creatives are controlled by those out for power, money and in it for their own motives.