From Ideas to Innovation

Definitions used by policy makers for these terms were originally designed for industries like manufacturing or science. For example: 

R&D focuses on developing new knowledge or technologies. Innovation is about applying the knowledge or technologies to create value and improve products or services.   

These definitions, however, do not map well to the work of the cultural sector.  

The focus of this research is to understand how the cultural sector may view innovation and R&D differently. What does current practice look like, what barriers exist and where may opportunities lie in supporting growth in innovation and R&D going forward.  

• In this research, when we talk about innovation and related R&D, we are interested in anything you are doing to create, develop or launch something new.
• This may be in creative, artistic or curatorial practice, new products or services, development of internal processes and organisational culture change.
• This type of development is typically something that is beyond your normal day to day activities. However, if your work is artist led, creator led or curator led, and you think of your day to day activities as R&D or innovation then we want to hear from you too. 

• The survey is for anyone producing or presenting creative outputs. This includes artists, freelancers, cultural organisations, community groups, associations etc.
• If you work in an organisation, we would like you to respond on behalf of your organisation. If you work as an individual practitioner, please answer from this perspective.
• Please complete the survey even if you have not been involved in any innovation or related R&D activities, your feedback is also important. 

• The survey should take around 10 -15 minutes to complete and will be live until Wednesday 25 June.
• Anything you tell us will be kept confidential, will be anonymous, will be held securely and will only be used for research purposes. Data will be securely stored and deleted at the end of the project in line with the Arts Council England Privacy Policy.
• The survey does contain some questions on organisation type, areas of practice and your role. There are also optional questions on your age, disability, gender and ethnicity to help us understand the profile of respondents. 

If you would like to contact someone about this survey please email - research@theaudienceagency.org  This can be used: 

• If you have difficulty in completing this survey for any reason. We will arrange for someone to contact you and offer you help in filling it in.
• If you have any questions about the survey, for example its aims, objectives, content or use of data. 

Your contribution will help to develop sector practice, inform policy and support growth in investment.