Paul Owens
Co-Founder and Director
Paul is a leading international advisor and practitioner in cultural policy and creative economy. He is Co-Founder of BOP, and alongside his fellow directors he has pioneered now well-established methods to measure the impact of cultural policy.
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LOCATION
Global
CLIENT
World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF)
SECTOR
Projects Sectors
How can cities continue to grow and attract investment while preserving their cultural infrastructure – and the vibrancy and diversity that make them unique?
This month, our World Cities Culture Forum - a network of the Mayors of Culture for 33 cities around the world collaborating on shared opportunities and challenges around creativity and culture in their cities - published ‘Making Space for Culture’, a handbook for City Leaders.
Making Space for Culture is the latest handbook in the forum’s Policy and Practice Series. The publication explores how world cities are working to maintain and develop a dynamic mix of spaces and facilities for cultural production and consumption, amidst the current affordability crisis these cities are facing.
Providing twelve case studies from across the globe (incl. London, Istanbul, Hong Kong, San Francisco, and Madrid), the handbook illustrates some of the ways the forum’s member cities are responding to these challenges and provides tangible recommendations across funding and finance, planning and policy, and the development and provision of space.
The report has already been picked up by Fast Company, and our director Paul Owens interviewed by Artsy.
The full handbook can be downloaded below.
Our new ‘Making Space for Culture’ handbook for City Leaders explores how world cities across the globe are answering this question, from San Francisco to Shenzhen.
Project Report
Making Space for Culture – A Handbook for City Leaders
ABOUT US
EXPERTISE
A global research and consulting practice for culture and the creative economy
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Building on our contribution to the second edition of the report in 2018, BOP has led as the Data and Research partner on this report to help find out how policies can protect people working in the creative and cultural sectors.
UNESCO's Re|Shaping Policies for Creativity Report – Addressing culture as a global public good
UNESCO
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
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BOP’s updated Handbook for the Inter-American Development Bank sets out strategies for sustainability and urban resilience
Creative and Cultural Industries and Urban Revitalisation in the post-COVID era
Inter-American Development Bank - IDB
We investigated the potential impact of AI on the cultural and creative industries.
Opportunities and Challenges of AI for the Cultural and Creative Industries
European Commission
Published today: ‘Design for Good: 90 Years of the RSA Student Design Awards’, a new publication from the RSA, co-authored by BOP
A History of Bright Ideas: 90 Years of the RSA Student Design Awards
The Royal Society for Arts (RSA)
New skills research in the Gulf Co-operation Council States
An evidence-base for the growing Gulf festivals sector
British Council
Our research into the museum workforce is launched
Conscientiousness, optimism, and curiosity
Museums Galleries Scotland
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BOP’s report for Nanjing City Government demonstrates the importance of cross-cutting policies with a compelling cultural offer at the core
Creating Healthy Night-time Economies in World Cities
Nanjing Creative Center
Findings from our work at Great Ormond Street Hospital
Creativity in health settings
GOSH Arts
How is China influencing the future of Cultural Tourism?
Cultural Infrastructure for the 21st Century
Chengdu Media Group
Based on our impact analysis we estimate $750 billion in lost GVA for the CCI as a result of the pandemic so far.
Economic impact of COVID-19 on the Cultural and Creative Industries
UNESCO
Our analysis of the strengths & challenges of music in the Midlands is published
Hitting the right notes in the Midlands
Arts Council England
New handbook published for city leaders
How can cities make space for culture?
World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF)
Our report sheds new light on how building the capacity of the heritage sector can assist working internationally
International working builds stronger heritage sector at home
National Lottery Heritage Fund
Our new report with Nesta published
Opportunities for China-UK Cooperation through Equity Crowdfunding
Nesta
Our new research report for the National Trust
Protect urban heritage to prevent growth in inequality
National Trust
Our latest research for the Reading Agency shows we should read year-round
Reading is for life, not just for August
The Reading Agency
Our review of the Scottish Animation Sector, commissioned by Creative Scotland, has just been published
Review of the Scottish Animation Sector
Creative Scotland
UK-wide study of visitor experience practice provides new benchmarks for cultural and visitor attractions
Sharing Operations and Visitor Experience insight
VE:Forum