Andrew Knutt Aiba

Chairman @Creative Innovation Centre Cic

Taunton, GB

A Culture Of Creativity & Growth For SomersetSomerset Arts Business & Cultural Alliance (SABCA) is an innovate and creative organisation that understands that arts and culture can bring many benefits. From economic ones to place making ones. From community cohesion to supporting the young and old. From boosting the creative industries beyond county boundaries to health and well-being. Its benefits extend out further into areas of national, local & personal life than any other activity we do in society.We support and develop the arts and culture sector and organisations so they can become more enterprising and see how being more business-like can bring economic success and longevity. We achieve this through skills development, advice, mentoring, workshops, self-help groups and networks.We assist arts and culture programmes using local assets for public consumption, which in turn assists in our financial sustainability while ensuring a comprehensive cultural programme throughout the county and its town and villages. Supporting tourism and economic growth.We develop business focused arts and culture strategies that use local assets to create social interaction in public spaces and a marketing focused town centre development plan and set services to maximise local business investments such as Business Improvement Districts (BID). We support a strong digital strategy for the sector and bring skills to those who need it.Not only do we consider the subsidised cultural sector but also the commercial, amateur and participatory which, after all, are where most people find their cultural engagement. We are interested not just in publicly-funded concert halls, art galleries, theatres and museums, important as these are; but also commercial film, music and literature; young people getting together in a band, amateur choirs, local art clubs and reading groups, and people crafting at home or in local clubs; as well as those engaging in prisons, hospitals and care homes.