A new report has found the county’s creative hubs help growth and innovation in the creative sector.
Commissioned by the Cultural Development team, ‘Mapping Creative Hubs in Essex’ identified 63 creative hubs across the county.
The report found the hubs helped the creative and cultural sector, improved community building, had a social impact and provided economic value.
The report aims to improve existing investment in the arts and cultural sector by complementing initiatives like the Cultural Strategy 2023 and the Arts and Cultural Fund.
Following a national study by the British Council, the report is a factual review and useful reference tool of creative hubs in the county as they are today.
Research found there were 17 hubs in Colchester, 12 in Southend-on-Sea and seven in Chelmsford. A further six hubs in the Basildon, Brentwood, Colchester, Thurrock and Tendring areas are in development.
The report also revealed that while most hubs were in buildings, a number operated without a dedicated physical space. This highlights the increasing trend of virtual or digitally-driven creative communities.