Background and Context
The disruption of the pandemic in 2020 brought together over 100 creatives in Brighton & Hove to explore how arts & culture can be more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative in the City in the future. This resulted in a recovery plan that runs to the end of 2022 and has so far raised almost £500k for the cultural sector in the City. The plan is overseen by an independent group of people formed of a Governance Group and a series of Working Groups. The aims of the plan are to create paid work and professional opportunities for creative workers in the City, to develop a more inclusive cultural offer and to encourage partnership working to strengthen the creative sector in the long term. Partners include Brighton & Hove City Council, University of Sussex, Arts Council England, Brilliant Brighton Business Improvement District, the Pebble Trust and many funded arts organisations in the City.

Creative Worker Income Guarantee

Part of the ABCD Vision is that Brighton & Hove will be a city that leads the way nationally for support of creatives and values their role in placemaking. The Creative Worker Income Guarantee is a research project testing the principle of valuing creatives as intrinsic to the brand of the city. It aims to explore and test what impact a targeted intervention in the form of an income guarantee would have on the careers and lives of the creatives involved, and what wider impact would be created in the short and long term.

Brighton has grown and benefitted from the creative community it has attracted, however with the high cost of living in the city and the impact of Covid 19 there is a further threat of losing talent and the unique creative offer the city holds. Inspired by the 1930s US Works Progress Administration, and existing Cultural Worker assistance programmes in Europe, this research initiative enables Brighton to take a bold step in recognising the value of creatives in placemaking, and whether a targeted intervention in the form of an income guarantee can prevent talented individuals from leaving the sector for more rewarding opportunities.

Stage 1 Research
ABCD partners the University of Sussex are supporting some initial research into the viability of running a full pilot scheme.

Objectives of the Stage 1 Research:
1. Review similar existing schemes in Europe, the US and others, and what has been learnt from them so far.
2. Explore with stakeholders at the University of Sussex, in the city, and nationally, what a pilot scheme in Brighton & Hove might look like, including how outcomes and impact will be evidenced and evaluated to inform the future development of a model that has broad support.
3. Identify potential sources of funding for a full pilot scheme and a timeframe for moving forward.

Value: £15,000
Timeframe: to begin ASAP and report within 4 months.

Application process
To apply, please submit a proposal outlining the following:
• Your relevant skills and experience.
• Your approach to the research, including your methodology for engaging stakeholders.
• How you will ensure a diverse range of voices are represented.

Please submit your proposal, along with the Equalities Monitoring form, to:
Laura Gallagher at: [email protected]
Contact Kate O’Riordan for questions about the project: [email protected]
Timetable
Brief issued: 9th June 2022
Submission deadline: 23rd June 2022
Anticipated selection: 28th June 2022