DATA RELEASED FOR UNBOXED: CREATIVITY IN THE UK

DATA RELEASED FOR UNBOXED: CREATIVITY IN THE UK

• UK-wide programme of ten major commissions achieves audience of 18 million through live, digital and broadcast
• Delivered across the four nations of the UK, the programme sets a new model for cultural programming, with investment in cross-sector creativity and collaboration
• 1.7 million young people and families have taken part in UK-wide learning, volunteer and participation activities
• More than 6,000 jobs and paid development opportunities have been supported across science, engineering, technology and the arts 

UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, today announces data setting out the impact of its entirely free programme of ten major commissions delivered across the four nations of the UK in 2022. Designed to be accessible and inclusive to all, UNBOXED has brought people together at live events throughout the UK, and through digital and broadcast content, achieving an audience of over 18 million. The announcement marks the close of the live programme at the weekend.

Live events have been attended by 2.8 million in 107 UK-wide locations featuring thousands of individual community events; 13.5 million have engaged with content commissioned for broadcast and digital platforms – a number that continues to grow; and 1.7 million have taken part in learning, volunteer and community participation activities. Many of the locations throughout England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are towns, cities and rural areas less well served by major cultural programmes.  The programme has explored important new ideas and possibilities for the future, from sustainability to the power of the human mind, to innovative new ways of storytelling.

Learning, volunteering and public participation opportunities, throughout the UK and online, include school trips, lessons, assemblies and workshops, poetry and coding competitions, community growing initiatives and citizen science projects. Schoolchildren and families have taken part in science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (STEAM) activities that were linked to the curricula in each of the four nations.

UNBOXED has contributed to the UK’s creative landscape through investment in research and innovation and by supporting more than 6,000 employment and paid development opportunities. The programme has explored new ideas through a unique cross-sector collaborative approach to programming that featured funded research and development during the pandemic, supporting many creative organisations and freelancers through that period.

Creatives from science, technology, engineering and the arts (STEAM) have been supported to design and deliver the programme from neuroscientists, astrophysicists, computer programmers and structural engineers to poets, musicians, artists and set designers to create pioneering projects. Young and emerging creatives have also been given access to training to develop their professional skills and gain valuable experience.

Phil Batty, Executive Director, UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, said: “From the outset, UNBOXED has invested in new collaboration between organisations and individuals that drew on the creative innovation within science, technology, engineering and maths, as well as the arts. It has enabled thousands of creative minds to experiment and work together on major creative projects, producing a groundbreaking programme designed to explore new ideas. I am proud that through UNBOXED, we have been able to create joyful memories for millions of people in communities across the UK.”

Dame Vikki Heywood DBE, Chair of Board, UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, said: “I am delighted that we are able to demonstrate the significant impact of the work of thousands who created a festival enjoyed by millions. The scale and ambition of UNBOXED underlines the breadth of the creative engagement in the population of the UK and demonstrates the value and power of creativity to transform how we live together and understand each other.

“The legacy of this programme of thousands of events and activities in 107 places, broadcast across the UK and reaching 85 countries will be wide-reaching, from permanent and touring installations for future public entertainment, to improvements in learning through scientific research and teaching resources. The personal impact on the thousands of young people who have been involved in UNBOXED has been inspirational. UNBOXED is proud of the strong part it has played in the COVID recovery of the UK.”

The UNBOXED international programme has reached over 85 countries, and forged new cultural collaborations and shared experiences, to showcase UK creativity. The programme brought together a global community of researchers and practitioners to further vital conversations about the role of collective creativity and innovation in building better futures.

UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK is funded and supported by the four governments of the UK and is commissioned and delivered in partnership with Belfast City Council, Creative Wales and EventScotland. Northern Irish, Scottish and Wales creative talent has been showcased in each of their respective nations through the commissions Our Place in Space, Dandelion and GALWAD: A story from the future.

Minister for Sport, Tourism and Civil Society, Stuart Andrew MP, said: “Since March, ten groundbreaking commissions have taken culture to the doorsteps of millions in communities right across the UK. UNBOXED formed innovative creative coalitions in programming that inspired people who attended events, got involved online or watched on TV. 

“As the festival draws to a close, the scale and reach of this project and what it has achieved is clear to see. UNBOXED has pulled in new audiences to arts and culture, brought people together and showcased the world-leading creative talent and innovation we have right here on our shores.”

Department for Culture Permanent Secretary, Colum Boyle, said: “Northern Ireland has been fortunate to have a number of the UNBOXED commissions visit our shores over the past year. Collaborations such as our own Our Place in Space, show what can be achieved when our creative, science, technology and art sectors work together.  The legacy of this festival will benefit local communities for years to come.”

Scottish Government’s Culture Minister Neil Gray said: “I’m pleased that we have had the opportunity to engage with the many Dandelion events and activities here in Scotland. Dandelion saw thousands of jobs supported for creatives and contractors. There were also great levels of participation with nearly 600,000 people taking part including nearly 90,000 school pupils and over 500 communities being encouraged to sow, grow and share – for years to come.”

Dawn Bowden, Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, said: “I was delighted to take part in many events associated with GALWAD which was an exciting celebration of creativity, based on co-creating, and involving diverse communities right across Wales. 

 “The work of GALWAD championed the Welsh Well-being of Future Generations Act, as well as being a showcase to Welsh creative talent on an international stage. It was also an investment in the creative and cultural sectors, creating opportunities for under-represented talent and supporting the creative industries.”

A final evaluation of the programme is being undertaken by KMPG on behalf of all four governments and the four delivery agencies, which will be published in early 2023.