University gets creative with focus on digital technology and the arts

Published on 09/08/2012 12:00

A CONSORTIUM including Edinburgh University is to examine the challenges posed by digital technology on the arts.

A new centre will be established to focus on copyright and new business models in the “creative economy”.

It aims to maintain the UK’s “global leadership” in arts by harnessing emerging technologies and addressing intellectual property issues.

The centre, called Create, is funded by three bodies – the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council. Professor Rick Rylance, chief executive of the AHRC, said: “It represents a fantastic opportunity to take the measure of the way digital technologies are challenging existing arrangements and creating new opportunities in the UK to supply creative input.

“We very much look forward to seeing how Create develops new thinking on copyright and business potential, and meets the challenges of interdisciplinary and partnership working.”

The consortium also includes universities in Glasgow, St Andrews, Nottingham, East Anglia and London.