Creative Dundee Founder and CEO, Gillian Easson writes: As a fellow creative city network lead who has known Creative Cardiff since their formation, I’ve always admired their ethos and approaches to nurturing Cardiff’s creative network. Joining the Dots is a perfect example of the reach and impact they enable. The opportunity to meet a number of diverse creative networks during a global pandemic, to share practical case studies and learning, when our communities have been some of the hardest hit, was greatly needed and appreciated. Creative Cardiff is very generous, and we are delighted that they are part of our extended family!
Nana Radenkovic‘ Programme Manager for Nova Iskra in Belgrade, Serbia, writes: Having an opportunity to get to know projects, specific methodologies and activities of Creative Cardiff was of great value to us, especially when contemplating the possible future developments within the creative industries domain in Serbia, or the Western Balkans region. We see Creative Cardiff as a possible role model for systematic and cross-sectoral approach in creating a road map.
Cansu Ataman, British Council Turkey, writes: Working with Creative Cardiff and getting a first-hand insight into Cardiff’s creative economy has been a huge inspiration to all of us. Learning from the initiatives that set an equally beneficial example for our respective countries, hearing from the creative network who are shaping the global creative scene and connecting with counterparts for potential partnerships was a unique and invaluable experience.
Emre Erbirer, Event Manager for ATOLYE, a creative hub in Istanbul writes: Creative Cardiff has a meticulous and attentive approach. They also demonstrated the role of creative hubs in intercultural dialogue clearly. I believe that Creative Cardiff and ATÖLYE will collaborate and implement impact-oriented projects in the future by enabling collaboration and innovation, and opening space for learning together.
Zaza Purtseladze, Director, South Caucasus and Georgia, British Council, writes: The keynote speech delivered by Sara Pepper and her participation in the Forum demonstrated the diversity and inclusiveness of the creative industries sector of the UK which Georgia is striving at seeing the UK as a role model. We are looking forward to the opportunities for further collaboration with Creative Cardiff.
Roxana Apostol, British Council Creative Economy Programme Manager, Hubs & Communities, Advisor East Asia writes: We value our long-lasting and wide-ranging collaboration with Creative Cardiff. Their team have an astute understanding of the creative ecosystem and are able to draw from their expertise and vast knowledge of policies to effortlessly convey innovative ideas across cultures. Our collaboration with Creative Cardiff on the Connect for Creativity project in Turkey, Greece, Serbia and the UK, has yielded the Creative Hubs: Opportunities and Challenges for Intercultural Dialogue report. The report and its findings have become compelling references in the British Council’s global creative economy work.
Jay Tunprawat Patcharawee, British Council, Thailand writes: The work that Creative Cardiff did, led by Sara Pepper, was the first stepping stone for the development of creative hubs in Thailand. This pioneering project trained hub managers from nine universities across the country and equipped them with an understanding about the roles of creative hubs in advancing innovation. The training initiated a conversation between Creative Cardiff and the Thai Minister of Science and Technology, resulting in a study trip by the ministerial delegates to the UK, which has an implication on the development of Thailand’s creative economy policy.
Florence Lambert, of British Council Malaysia writes: In the course of the Hubs for Good programme, we collaborated with Creative Cardiff on a meeting and exchange with a Malaysian delegation of academics during a UK study tour and an online webinar between UK and South East Asian hubs leaders to Reimagine the Future of Creative Hubs (Post COVID-19 crisis). Creative Cardiff’s approach to sustainability and global challenges was a source of inspiration for upcoming South East Asian hubs managers. Creative Cardiff is an important stakeholder for us, Wales and for the UK creative sector as it advocates for the increase of international networking and collaboration.
