Creative Industries Minister Ian Murray joined an event hosted at Liverpool’s ACC (Arena and Convention Centre) by MusicFutures, a government-funded partnership for innovation in music led by the University of Liverpool today (Tuesday 20 January).
Delivered in collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, MusicFutures was awarded nearly £7 million in 2024 as the UK’s leading music innovation and technology cluster, to build on the City Region’s status as one of the most renowned centres of music anywhere in the world.
MusicFutures is part of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)’s Creative Clusters programme, which funds research and development partnerships across different creative sectors. The programme connects universities with businesses to drive innovation, skills, job creation, and economic growth. The first wave of Creative Clusters generated £270 million public and private investment from an initial £56 million programme investment by the government.
The visit saw Minister Murray experience interactive demonstrations from some of the region’s creative businesses and engage in a discussion with place-based leaders.
As the government delivers the next phase of the Industrial Strategy’s Creative Industries Sector Plan, Minister Murray is now calling on regions across the country to bid for an additional £27 million in funding to grow their own clusters of cutting-edge creative businesses and replicate Liverpool City Region’s success.
Creative Industries Minister, Ian Murray, said: “We’ve seen the transformative impact that government investment has had on Liverpool City Region’s music industry, helping innovative projects like MusicFutures flourish. In our Industrial Strategy, we committed to driving growth and building on the regional clusters of creativity that exist across the UK.”
Thousands of creative businesses are set to benefit from this funding and a broader package of support. Guiding this funding support, UKRI has today published the R&D Strategy for the Creative and Cultural Economy, a new Creative Industries Research and Development Strategy. Highly innovative creative businesses across the country are set to benefit from UKRI programmes that will deliver public and private investment, develop new creative technology and create more opportunities for British businesses to sell internationally or seek investment.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said: “Music has always been a huge part of our area’s identity, we’re bursting with talent – which is why we invested £2 million in the Liverpool City Region Music Board. What we’re now seeing is what’s possible when government backs that creativity with real ambition.
“MusicFutures shows how we can build a more equitable, sustainable and innovative music industry – one where artists feel valued, cutting-edge technology like AI creates opportunities for the next generation, and our region continues to lead on the global stage.
“We’ve given the world a new soundtrack once before – and with MusicFutures, we have all the talent, ambition and drive to do it again.”
Professor Richard Koeck, Director of the AHRC Creative Cluster MusicFutures said: “We’re honoured to welcome the Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts, Ian Murray MP, to MusicFutures at the ACC Liverpool waterfront hub. Our mission is clear, that is to establish the Liverpool City Region as a global leader in music innovation. By linking our world-class research with a dynamic ecosystem of over 1,500 music businesses, our ambition is to boost not only Liverpool’s global music profile but also fuel the wider growth across the region’s creative industries.”
Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Liverpool said: “We are delighted to welcome the Rt Hon Ian Murray MP to Liverpool and to showcase MusicFutures, a powerful example of how targeted government investment can unlock growth, skills and innovation in the creative industries. MusicFutures brings together universities and the wider music sector to nurture talent, entrepreneurship and intellectual property initiatives. Through this ambitious collaboration, we are helping to build a more inclusive and sustainable music ecosystem, while further establishing the Liverpool City Region as a UK hub for music innovation and future-facing creative employment.”