Social Science Impact Accelerator: Enhancing creative careers, arts and culture in Slough - training local freelance artist as cultural placemakers

This project extends our previous UKRI-funded challenge-led research with the focus to promote creative careers, arts and culture in Slough. Slough is one of 54 places in England to benefit from Arts Council England (ACE) Priority Places and Levelling Up for Culture Places scheme. Drawing on our research on arts organisations and sustainable freelancing, we will undertake impact acceleration activities to sustain local talent and skills in Slough. We will work with our partners to co-design learning resources to support freelance artists’ business skills; co-develop resources with local freelancers to strengthen their skills as cultural placemakers. These outputs are crucial for local freelancers to thrive long-term locally and nationally, and respond to the challenges identified by our partners, Slough Borough Council and ACE. Our work has the potential to influence other ACE priority places and their policies.