Mapping cultural intermediaries

Abstract

This chapter undertakes the first value chain analysis of cultural intermediation, breaking the process down into three stages: creation; commodification; and outreach. Based on a quantitative analysis of the industrial sectors identified as being part of the creative economy, the chapter uses location quotients to analyse the geographic distribution of different parts of the cultural intermediation value chain. It concludes that, like the cultural sector itself, key elements of the intermediation value chain are disproportionately concentrated in south east England and the wealthier parts of English cities. The outreach stage of the value chain – the part most closely linked to communities – is particularly concentrated in city centres. This suggests that a policy debate is needed on the distribution of outreach intermediation activities if the desire is to provide easier connections for deprived communities into creative economic activities.