About FOCI
FOCI is a network of experienced professionals concerned to inform and influence the current debates around the creative industries - now given momentum by the high profile accorded the sector by the government. FOCI brings together a wide body of experience around local and regional policy; economic and social development; urban regeneration; academic research; cultural strategy; education and training; and industry-based initiatives - accumulated over the last 15 years of Creative Industry policy making.FOCI welcomes recent Government initiatives - talking to industry representatives and promoting the contribution of the sector to the economy, quality of life and the image of Britain abroad. We feel that a 'window of opportunity' has been opened by the new government for a policy dialogue with those involved in the creative industries. However, we also feel that the current emphasis on high profile industry figures, on the glamourous success stories, and the large scale national bodies runs the risk of ignoring the dynamic roots, the sources of energy that fuel the sector and the complex ecosystem in which they thrive.
The creative industries are rooted at the local level - it is from here that talent and creativity emerge and grow. These dynamic local scenes are where ambition is nurtured; where global flows of images, sounds, information and symbols are picked up, reworked and sent out again with a distinct stamp to reach new local and global markets. It is here that the formal and informal institutions and infrastructures of colleges, networks, business support units, arts organisations, managed workspaces, cultural clusters, community groups, cafes, galleries, etc, all provide a local context for the growth of an ultimately global industry.
Whilst FOCI welcomes the recognition of the strong economic contribution made by the creative industries in terms of wealth creation and employment, we would also keenly stress that this sector is very different from traditional industries. They deal in value and values, signs and symbols; they are multi-skilled and fluid; they move between niches and create hybrids; they are multi-national and they thrive on the margins of economic activity; they mix up making money and making meaning. The challenge of the creative industries is the challenge of a new form of economic understanding - they are not 'catching up' with serious, mainstream industries, they are setting the templates which these industries will follow.
FOCI is concerned to optimise the potential represented by the creative industries for local, regional and national economic and social well being. This is about creating synergies and partnerships; adding value to existing initiatives; creating opportunities and new perspectives. It is about the relationship of the sector to local place making and urban regeneration strategies. It is about social access and participation, about education and training, and about citizenship. FOCI consists of professionals experienced in making these connections, in navigating the complex policy fields involved in creative industry development. We function as intermediaries; we can bring to bear the necessary multiple perspectives. We feel that the 'policy window' opened by the new government needs to take in this experience and knowledge. Without this input from those involved in local social, economic and cultural strategies the creative industries strategy will merely become a policy annex of those powerful players who may shout the loudest but may not be most qualified to speak for the interests, nor the great potential of the sector as a whole.
FOCI membership
FOCI is concerned to optimise the potential represented by the creative industries for local, regional and national economic and social well being. This is about creating synergies and partnerships; adding value to existing initiatives; creating opportunities and new perspectives. It is about the relationship of the sector to local place making and urban regeneration strategies. It is about social access and participation, about education and training, and about citizenship. FOCI consists of professionals experienced in making these connections, in navigating the complex policy fields involved in creative industry development. We function as intermediaries; we can bring to bear the necessary multiple perspectives. FOCI is a voluntary network whose members commitment is expressed in the donation of their time to quarterly meetings.
A. New Members – Process of Election
· Members of FOCI are appointed as individuals and they are not expected to represent their organisation/workplace at any time
· New members are appointed on the basis of the size of the table (FOCI depends on full and engaged debate and this necessarily restricts the number) and the spread of skill, experience and geography within the membership
· Membership is around 30 with the expectation that at least half will be able to attend at each meeting
· Anyone wishing to join must have the sponsorship of 2 existing FOCI members who are able to speak authoritatively about his/her work
· Candidates must liaise with their sponsors in order to ensure they have the necessary information (generally a brief cv) to circulate
· Those wishing to join can make contact through the website (after liaison with their sponsors) with their cv and the names of their FOCI sponsors
· FOCI will discuss membership on a regular basis though we reserve the right to suspend taking on new members in the light of the above
B. Membership Responsibilities
· All members are expected to play a full part in FOCI’s work – as a network without financial or staffing resource, FOCI depends on all members to contribute time, ideas, expertise and in other ways
· All members will from time to time be responsible for arranging meetings and producing notes of the session for the website (including any presentations)
· Meetings are generally 3 per year including one out of the
· No substitutions at meetings or for other purposes are allowed
· Members are required to make a modest financial contribution to the upkeep of the website – payment (currently £100 + VAT) by new members is due after 1 meeting
· Members will have a password and full access to the website
C. Former members entitlements
· Despite several attempts, it is not possible at this stage to create a second tier membership so when you leave that’s it though we hope you have benefited from being in FOCI and that the network continues to be useful, personally and professionally.
· We are looking at possible EU network arrangements to capitalise on the contacts in
FOCI has a limited membership, restricted by meeting size and flexibility of administration. However, if you would like to be considered for membership please send a brief resume, detailing your professional experience of the creative industries to x.gu@mmu.ac.uk. Alternatively you may post this information to Xin Gu
Manchester Institute for Popular Culture
Room 343
Geoffrey Manton Building
Rosamond Street West
Manchester
M15 6LL.
If you already know a member of FOCI you may pass your resume to them. All applications will be considered at the next occurring meeting by existing FOCI members, who will assess suitability of all candidates.
DCA consultants
[http://www.dca-consultants.com]
DCA consultants
CIDS
[http://www.cids.co.uk]
Creative Industry Development Service - Manchester