For 25 years BOP has set the standard for research into culture and creative industries (CCIs).
We believe in the transformative power of data to change perceptions and galvanise decision-making. We seek to make an impact on our clients and their stakeholders with our findings, through the rigour of our research, the clarity of presentation and the use of the latest data visualisation methods.
Our work has shone new light on the CCIs and their potential to transform people and places. Insights generated have informed the decision-making of national governments, mayors, and cultural leaders across the globe, and we have helped to design standard data frameworks for international agencies like UNESCO, for national governments and for city leaders worldwide.
The triennial World Cities Culture Report is the most comprehensive existing compendium of data on culture and the world’s largest cities. It has pushed culture up the urban agenda and helped policy-makers align the development of a city's cultural offer with broader economic, social, and environmental goals.
Our Approach
BOP continues to pioneer innovative approaches to understanding the nature and dynamics of these cultural industries. Our extensive toolkit draws on official data, specialised cultural statistics, frameworks, industry intelligence, and open ‘big’ data sources. This provides a wide and deep view of the sector, generating new evidence and insights which can be used as the basis for decision-making.
Whilst we use recognised frameworks and methods to ensure robustness and enable comparability, our research is always tailored to the unique needs of the client. Our research offer is always
Responsive to immediate challenges and dilemmas
Rigorous, objective, and open to external scrutiny
Reliable, using standard, widely accepted methods, and frameworks
Innovative, and constantly drawing on new data sources
Practical, providing evidence for business decisions
Relevance
As we enter the new post-COVID age our research capabilities are more important than ever to our clients as they assess the impact of the pandemic and plan for a different kind of future where they are contending with ongoing changes across the sector as well as larger shifts including climate change and technology.
Research, Data and Insight
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Museums and Galleries, Economic Development, Arts, Heritage, Festivals, Digital, Intellectual Property, Design, Film & TV, Skills, Entrepreneurship, Creative Industries, Funding, Education, Audiences, Video games, Theatres, Museums
China, MENA, Latin America,
We understand the transformative potential of the culture and creative industries (CCIs)
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How are major cities around the world responding to climate change through cultural policies and programmes?
The Green World Cities of Tomorrow: Culture and Sustainability
Paul Owens
Nov 4, 2021
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5 Priorities for World Cities in the post-covid recovery period
Culture and the Climate Emergency
Paul Owens
Apr 22, 2021
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Culture can play an important role in recovery and renewal across the UK, if the right local decision-making is put in place
Culture and the Recovery: Levelling Up Culture?
Callum Lee
Dec 4, 2020
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Three big questions as applications close for Arts Council England’s Cultural Recovery Fund
COVID-19: Government support packages for culture and creative industries #3
Paul Owens
Aug 21, 2020
The UK’s £1.57 billion recovery package: priorities for a New Deal
COVID-19: Government support packages for culture and creative industries #2
Paul Owens
Jul 30, 2020
Cities are using their unique capabilities to lead recovery and renewal
COVID-19: Cities, Culture and the 3 ‘P’s: powers, partnerships, place
Paul Owens
Jul 20, 2020
Investing in recovery, planning for transformation
COVID-19: Government support packages for culture and creative industries #1
Paul Owens
Jul 7, 2020
Recovery and renewal will depend on how we address the three dimensions of the crisis
COVID-19 is a triple blow to culture and the creative industries
Paul Owens
Jun 30, 2020
In the face of radical uncertainty leaders and policy-makers will have to take planning and collaboration to whole a new level
‘Plans are useless, planning is essential’
Paul Owens
Jun 3, 2020
A cause for optimism
Weaving the Golden Thread into the 2020s
Paul Owens
Dec 20, 2019
Staff retention and Brexit among the biggest challenges facing UK's cultural and visitor attractions
Your BOP Newsletter - September
Paul Owens
Oct 1, 2019
Our work helps unlock large LEP investment in culture
Transforming Birmingham’s Symphony Hall
Jonathan Todd
Aug 1, 2019
Cultural and environmental strategies are becoming increasingly connected
World cities respond to climate emergency
Paul Owens
Jul 3, 2019
Six top tips for building fundraising capacity from our Catalyst:Evolve programme evaluation
How do cultural organisations raise money?
Rossella Traverso
Jun 27, 2019
New ways for cities to invest in culture
Your BOP Newsletter - February
Paul Owens
Feb 20, 2019
New AHRC R&D programme with Chinese partners
Scoping opportunities in China's Creative Industries
Jan 8, 2019
Our founder reflects on the last 12 months
Reasons to be (cautiously) cheerful – Parts 1 to 6
Paul Owens
Dec 20, 2018
Our picks from the last 12 months
BOP's Best of 2018: Theatre, Film and Exhibitions
Kata Ovari
Dec 19, 2018
ABOUT US
EXPERTISE
A global research and consulting practice for culture and the creative economy