The creative sector includes everything from advertising and marketing; architecture; crafts; design film, TV, video, radio and photography; IT, software and computer services to publishing; museums, galleries and libraries; music, performing and visual arts.

In 2015, the sector generated £87.4bn GVA for the UK and is one of the largest industries of the national economy, returning four times the GVA of the automotive industry, six times as much as life sciences and nearly ten times that of aerospace.

The total UK creative economy accounted for 2.9 million jobs (or one in 11 of the working population). This is on the increase both in the capital and the regions with the West Midlands seeing a rise in employment of 38.7% in the sector between 2011 and 2015.

In 2016 an £825,000 refurbishment of the Grand Theatre was completed offering an outstanding and attractive venue for theatre and the arts.

Owing to its industrial roots, the Black Country also has a strong history in comedy - founded in the social club scene. These were common venues for music, bands and comedy nights and gave acts such as Cannon and Ball, The Grumbleweeds and Paul Daniels their first TV exposure.

Black Country comedy continues to thrive throughout the region and a number of organisations such as Creative Black Country and Funny Things are dedicated to continuing the development of the sector through a comprehensive programme of arts activity.