Creative, Digital & Tech

Creativity is in the DNA of Wakefield, the birthplace of Henry Moore and Dame Barbara Hepworth. This creative gene remains today, the district is one of the few Local Authority areas with Creative and Digital sector business advice specialists who support enterprises and advocate for the sector.

Wakefield’s creative, digital and tech ecosystem is fast growing, with businesses from start ups and SME’s to globally recognised names such as Tileyard North, The Art House, The Hepworth, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Production Park calling the District home.

Production Park is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world and is set for further expansion. The campus is home to over 20 live events businesses, the Xplor research and development centre and the Academy of Live Technology who educate over 200 students each year to go on and work in the industry. Its an international destination of choice to live productions, and the only place where pioneering developments and work are continually fed back into the education ecosystem.

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Key Sites within this sector

Tileyard North is a vibrant 135,000 sq ft destination for collaborative partnerships in music, film, TV, design, new media, and all facets for the commercial creative sector. Based in Rutland Mills, a complex of Grade II listed mill buildings in Wakefield, this new inclusive, creative hub is integral in establishing new business relationships and networks, creating new opportunities and empowering talent in the area bridging the gap between the creative industries of the south and north of England.

Working in clusters and partnerships, Wakefield’s creative, digital and tech businesses collaborate and drive innovation to support Wakefield’s more traditional sectors as well as support growth within this sector. This is further supported by creative-led regeneration projects across the district. In addition, Wakefield Council is working in partnership with Creative England on the Advance programme, a fully funded mentoring and support programme for creative and cultural practitioners, freelancers and SME’s based in Wakefield and the wider Yorkshire & Humber region.

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the tileyard north case study