Artswork Media is a Bath Spa University-led digital media production company based at Paintworks, Bristol. The company combines the experience and knowledge of media professionals and University lecturers with the passion and fresh thinking of Creative Media Practice students.
Mr Balls met company director and senior lecturer Nic Jeune; Bath Spa University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christina Slade as well as a number of students who work at Artswork Media.
All final year Creative Media Practice students are taught at the Paintworks facility. Artswork Media is a growing local employer that gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on, practical experience in a commercial environment where they develop their skills by working with professional clients.
Ed Balls MP, Shadow Chancellor, following his visit to Artswork Media on Thursday said: “To tackle the cost-of-living crisis our cities and towns need to be effective engines of growth. To achieve this we need stronger local government supported by more effective central government, both working in stronger partnership with the business and education communities.
“Artswork Media at Bristol’s Paintworks is an excellent example of what can be achieved when that happens. Bath Spa University’s commitment to nurturing their students’ entrepreneurial zeal by providing a business environment for them to hone their trade in is an innovative and clearly successful structure. It is just the sort of venture that with the right support by local and central Government can ensure our region’s cities and towns nurture the expertise they need to provide for the creation of high skilled jobs.’
A report in January 2014 by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport highlighted the significance and impact of the Creative Economy and Creative Industries. It showed that in 2012 the Creative Economy provided 2.55 million jobs, so one in every 12 jobs in the UK.
Employment within the Creative Economy grew by 143,000 (six per cent) between 2011 and 2012, a higher rate than for the UK Economy as a whole which only grew by 0.7 per cent. The value of services exported by the Creative Industries was £15.5 billion in 2011, eight per cent of total UK service exports.
Many Bath Spa University graduates find employment in the Creative Economy with jobs in film-making, production, graphic design and advertising within and outside of the Creative Industries.
Vice-Chancellor of Bath Spa University, Professor Christina Slade added: “At Bath Spa we are expanding our expertise at the intersection of creativity and technology and have introduced a number of new degree programmes in this area, including Film, Television and Digital Production. Artswork Media is a unique venture that allows our students to gain the diverse range of skills that meet the needs of the UK’s growing creative industries.”
In addition to the professional facilities at Artswork Media, the University has recently opened a new academic building at its Newton Park campus which features state-of-the-art teaching and learning spaces as well as the best broadcast ready digital studios and editing suites in the South West.