We understand the transformative potential of the culture and creative industries (CCIs)
Research, Data and Insight
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.
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Evidence and literature reviews
We undertake literature and evidence reviews – from rapid scans to in-depth systemic analysis – to put the best and latest information and knowledge in the hands of decision-makers.
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Sector mapping
We use a range of data source methods to reveal the full nature and extent of the cultural and creative sectors. Our research generates insights into the growth potential of the sector and how it relates to important economic, social, and environmental agendas.
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Industry trends and forecasting
We keep policy-makers and decision-makers up to speed with the deep trends that are shaping the future of the CCIs, and how policy and investment can respond to and take advantage of these opportunities. We have specialised knowledge of how digital technologies are revolutionising the CCIs and their role in sustainable development.
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Innovative data frameworks
We devise innovative data frameworks which help inform policy and decision-makers to make sense of fast-moving, often fragmented sectors, creating a solid foundation for evidence-based policy-making. See World Cities Culture Report.
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Policy briefings and white papers
We bring sophisticated policy-analysis to bear on the core data about the sector, to explore how the CCIs can contribute to wider agendas whether this be sustainable development, urban planning, infrastructure, skills and entrepreneurship, tourism, or climate action.
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Market scoping appraisals and demand assessments
We collect and collate data on current and future market demand and translate this into practical commercial advice for future investment decisions.
Our Services
Research, Data and Insight
Image Credit
Image Credit
Featured Projects
Research, Data and Insight
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Working alongside CRAIC, a new research and collaboration centre at Loughborough University, we conducted an extensive survey of virtual production assets throughout the United Kingdom to map the country’s growing ecosystem.
Mapping the UK's Virtual Production Ecosystem
Loughborough University
BOP's contribution to the 2nd edition of the report UNESCO's Global Creativity Report, examining policies safeguarding the creative and cultural sectors.
UNESCO's Re|Shaping Policies for Creativity Report – Addressing culture as a global public good
UNESCO
We investigated the potential impact of AI for European cultural and creative businesses. Explore the transformative opportunities AI brings to industries.
Opportunities and Challenges of AI for the Cultural and Creative Industries
European Commission
Our strategy will guide the creation of a new digital service aiming at supporting and developing the creative scene in Downtown Kingston.
Leveraging the creative potential of Downtown Kingston through technology
Inter-American Development Bank - IDB
Our research into the UK's high streets found that 69% of people think culture on their high street makes their area a better place to live.
Culture: The cornerstone of the UK’s high streets
Arts Council England
Our new report for UNESCO sets out the huge global impact of COVID-19 on the cultural sector. We estimate $750 billion lost for the CCI and 10 million job cuts.
Economic impact of COVID-19 on the Cultural and Creative Industries
UNESCO
Our research for the National Trust suggests approximately 3,000 Grade II buildings at risk in urban areas and discusses the impact on heritage and communities.
Protect urban heritage to prevent growth in inequality
National Trust
Our research for UNESCO's major report on Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions
Reshaping cultural policies
UNESCO
Our research into the sector’s economic and cultural impact on the live entertainment industry in Ireland, published in our groundbreaking study, Lets Celebrate.
Ireland’s live entertainment sector
Wide Awake Communications
Our research revealed opportunities for collaboration between UK and China’s Museum and Theatre sectors
UK China collaboration moves up the agenda after Brexit
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)
BOP Consulting research paved the way for a future UK-China cross-border equity crowdfunding solution, ensuring legal and technical feasibility.
UK China cross-border equity crowdfunding
ShareIn
SELECTED CLIENTS
For over 25 years, BOP has grown a dynamic global community of interest driven by a belief in the transformational power of culture and the creative industries. We have worked in over 50 countries with clients from international agencies to national and regional government departments, to city Mayors and regeneration bodies, and individual cultural and creative businesses.
Featured Articles
Research, Data and Insight
November 4, 2021 at 11:00:00 PM
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
December 13, 2023 at 12:00:00 PM
Our team shares how the framework behind BOP500 can power sustainable development in cities around the world.
Cultural Capability: Rethinking Culture for the 21st Century
Paul Owens
October 23, 2023 at 11:00:00 AM
Co-founder Paul Owens and Consultant Genevieve Marciniak represented BOP Consulting at the World Conference on Cultural Cities in Chengdu, China.
World Conference on Cultural Cities, City Ideas
Genevieve Marciniak
July 4, 2023 at 11:00:00 AM
The world's largest museum prize, the Art Fund’s Museum of the Year Award plays a significant role within the museum sector.
Research for Art Fund's Museum of the Year featured in Museums Association Journal
Yasmeen Safaie
June 28, 2023 at 11:00:00 AM
The publication of our Impact Assessment of Edinburgh Festivals marks one of the most significant cultural impact studies to date.
Edinburgh Festivals Evaluation Featured in BBC Scotland & The Scotsman
Jonathan Todd
ABOUT US
EXPERTISE
A global research and consulting practice for culture and the creative economy
The City as Creative Platform: New Urban Centres of Creative and Digital Services
JOB TITLE
As the global economy resets into a new mode following the global pandemic, to what extent will the creative sector play a role in facilitating growth, and which cities are the key players in that story?
City Ideas
ACE International Activity Report
JOB TITLE
Following on from a survey of international activity undertaken in 2014/15, this iteration of the research introduced an international readiness test to determine the capacity of ACE funded organisations to export culture internationally.
Arts Council England
Exploring a Creative Worker Income Guarantee
JOB TITLE
BOP Consulting was appointed to outline a pilot for a Creative Worker Income Guarantee focusing on Brighton & Hove, working on behalf of the University of Sussex and the ABCD Cultural Recovery Programme.
University of Sussex
Creative Industries and the Climate Emergency: The Path to Net Zero
JOB TITLE
In 2022, the UK’s Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre published for the first time a sub-sector by sub-sector overview of the Creative Industries and net zero.
Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre
Mapping the UK's Virtual Production Ecosystem
JOB TITLE
Working alongside CRAIC, a new research and collaboration centre at Loughborough University, we conducted an extensive survey of virtual production assets throughout the United Kingdom to map the country’s growing ecosystem.
Loughborough University
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Evaluation of the DCMS Culture Recovery Fund
JOB TITLE
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport Culture Recovery Fund is the largest one-off package for culture in England’s history. Working alongside ECORYS and IPSOS we are pleased to share the evaluation report. The Fund supported more than 5000 organisations and sites. In turn, these organisations supported over 100,000 jobs and another 100,000 freelancers.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
World Cities Culture Report 2022
JOB TITLE
World Cities Culture Report provides a global view on the state of culture in our cities. It gives insights on the major challenges facing world cities and a vision for the future. It is a unique research output produced with input and insights from 41 partner cities across six continents, 12 global experts, 40 city leaders, four roundtables, and 40 data sets over two years.
World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF)
RE | SHAPING POLICIES FOR CREATIVITY – Addressing culture as a global public good
JOB TITLE
This report offers insightful new data that shed light on emerging trends at a global level, as well as putting forward policy recommendations to foster creative ecosystems that contribute to a sustainable world by 2030 and beyond.
UNESCO