Abstract
This article looks at the degree to which spatial inequalities reinforce other forms of social inequality in cultural labor markets. It does so using the example of London, an acknowledged hub for the creative and cultural industries. Using pooled data from 2013 to 2015 quarters of the United Kingdom’s. Labour Force Survey, we consider the social makeup of London’s cultural labor force, and reveal the extent to which, rather than acting as an “engine room” of social mobility, London’s dominance in fact reenforces social class disparities in cultural employment.
Highlights
The analysis demonstrates that an important policy story—the link between arts education and the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) (Ashton & Noonan, 2013)—is not supported by data on this section of the labor force
While the data presented so far updates previous analyses of inequalities in the United Kingdom’s CCIs (O’Brien et al, 2016), in this article, we are especially interested in examining whether this inequality is patterned spatially in ways that reflect London’s dominance within the United Kingdom
While over 60% of those working in the CCIs in London are from professional or managerial backgrounds, the figure elsewhere in the country is around 45%
Summary
Central to this strategy was the idea that the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) represented a labor market which was meritocratic, and which opened up opportunities to women, those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, and working-class people, who had been disadvantaged in other professional labor markets but hard hit by the form of neoliberal economic growth (Oakley, 2014). Far from opening up opportunities, tend to be dominated by White men from relatively privileged backgrounds (Friedman, O’Brien, & Laurison, 2016)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
