Cultural Observatory

Who are we?

The Cultural Observatory is a resource for all those with an interest in the West Midlands cultural sector.

We provide intelligence and evidence relating to the social and economic role played by culture in the West Midlands region.

We are a joint initiative between the DCMS Agencies in the West Midlands (DAWM) and Advantage West Midlands, and are located at the West Midlands Regional Observatory.

The work of the Cultural Observatory is steered by the Cultural Research & Intelligence Group (CRAIG).

Our wider network, the Cultural Research & Intelligence Network (CRAIN), is free to join and a great way to keep up-​to-​date with the latest cultural research.

For information about personnel, see the Cultural Observatory team page.

Projects

During 2010, our key strands of work include:

1. Supply of timely evidence for the cultural elements of the Regional Strategy
2. Monitoring the impact of the recession on local cultural organisations
3. Evaluation and monitoring of the West Midlands Culture Programme for London 2012

Key publications

The impact of the recession on the West Midlands' cultural sector

October 2008 -​ ongoing

Quarterly bulletins presenting information on how the economic downturn is affecting the West Midlands' cultural sector. Bulletins draw on a range of evidence, including a direct survey with local cultural venues.

West Midlands cultural sector economic snapshot (Oct-​Dec 2009) (pdf, 311kb)
More about this project »

Culture & Prosperity: The Economic Role of Culture in the West Midlands

Published 11 March 2009 by Culture West Midlands

Drawing on a wide range of sources, this paper presents economic intelligence associated with the West Midlands cultural sector, including information about levels of employment and the levels of gross value added (GVA) generated by cultural firms.

Culture & Prosperity: full report (pdf, 1.2mb)
Culture & Prosperity: summary report (pdf, 1.1mb)

Culture, People & Place: The Social & Environmental Role of Culture in the West Midlands

Published 11 March 2009 by Culture West Midlands

For the first time, this paper brings together evidence relating to the social and environmental impact and role of culture in the West Midlands. This includes an exploration of research into the West Midlands ‘cultural offer’ and the latest regional participation data from the Taking Part and Active People surveys.

Culture, People & Place: full report (pdf, 1.6mb)
Culture, People & Place: summary report (pdf, 1.24mb)

An Analysis of Cultural Trends and Usage in the West Midlands

Published 30 October 2008 by Culture West Midlands

This report explores data gathered through the West Midlands Regional Lifestyle Survey through new statistical models gauging the factors which influence ways of thinking about culture, and the frequency of usage of cultural facilities and amenities. The research demonstrates how a variety of social and demographic factors can be used to predict the frequency at which residents of the West Midlands may or may not use cultural services.

An Analysis of Cultural Trends and Usage in the West Midlands (doc, 84kb)

Keep up-​to-​date

We share ideas, information and current research on the Observations blog.

You can view just the posts about cultural research (here's the RSS feed).

West Midlands Culture Programme for London 2012

Published December 2009

Evaluation methodology diagram (ppt, 422kb)

Impact of the recession on the cultural sector

• Economic snapshot (October-​December 2009) (pdf, 251kb)
• Role of culture in the region's post-​​recession recovery (November 2009) (PDF, 140kb)
• Summary of findings to date (November 2009) (PDF, 205kb)
• Economic snapshot (July-​​September 2009) (PDF, 504kb)
• Economic snapshot (April-​​​June 2009) (PDF, 359kb)
• Summary of findings to date (June 2009) (DOC, 170kb)
• Economic snapshot (January–March 2009) (DOC, 284kb)
• Economic snapshot (October–December 2008) (Word, 306kb)

Cultural research publications

Published 6th May 2009
Researching culture at local level in the West Midlands: guidance for local authorities (DOC, 226kb)

Published 11th March 2009
Culture & prosperity: the economic role of culture in the West Midlands (full report) (PDF, 1.2mb)

Culture & prosperity: the economic role of culture in the West Midlands (executive summary) (PDF 1.1mb)

Culture, people & place: the social and environmental role of culture in the West Midlands (PDF, 1.6mb)

Culture, people & place: the social and environmental role of culture in the West Midlands (executive summary) (PDF, 1.24mb)

Published 30th October 2008
Analysis of cultural trends and usage in the West Midlands (PDF, 84kb)

Published 2007
Growing the cultural economy in the West Midlands (PDF, 1.7mb)

Published 2006
West Midlands cultural research & intelligence action plan 2006-​2008 (PDF, 1.08mb)

Published February 2005
Regional cultural research network scoping and options study (PDF, 226kb)