To mark our anniversary we’ve taken the opportunity to look back on a quarter of a century of projects and to reflect on how policy towards the culture and the creative industries has grown and evolved. The result is a short history, complete with illustrated timeline, of how the sector has grown in size and prominence, and the role that BOP has played in shaping research, policy and investment.

From local authority plans and regeneration projects through to national strategies and trans-national forums, culture has become increasingly embedded in how nations and cities look to grow their economies and build flourishing societies. As we prepare to face the climate emergency and other great challenges of our age, the experience and insights from 25 years will be needed more than ever to demonstrate the importance of culture and connect it to broader agendas.

Read BOP at 25: the Next Chapter here. Over the course of the year we will continue to mark this important milestone with a series on meeting the challenges of the future.