Dorset’s Arts University is set to offer students – particularly those in rural areas – vastly improved resources in such subjects as clothing design, film and video game production, and the manufacturing, product design, engineering and health technology after scooping a £354,400 grant.

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has invested £354,400 in the creation of pioneering accessible digital resources and new research and development space for the creative industries at Arts University Bournemouth.

The cash comes from the Local Growth Fund and is in addition to £1.5 million of Dorset LEP investment in the arts university’s new entrepreneurial space, the Innovation Studio.

The new accessible digital Innovation Resources project, the only one of its kind in the south west, will provide remote access to a suite of digital and physical fabrication equipment. Funding will also be used to refurbish an existing administrative space to create a 280m2 Innovation Suite for collaborative work/social space and specialist digital fabrication equipment.

Lorna Carver, Director Dorset LEP says: “Building on an innovation studio to support local businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs, remote access to specialist resources addresses the challenge of supporting rural businesses in Dorset and those in our more deprived areas. It will also support students and businesses during covid-19 which restricts physical gathering.”

Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, Luke Hall MP said: “Dorset is one the fastest growing creative and digital hubs in Europe and a destination of choice for digital entrepreneurs. This funding will support local businesses to get back on their feet, while also helping to harness local creative talent and translate this into high quality jobs.”

The Innovation Suite is expected to open in June. Go to the Dorset LEP website’s Innovation Resources and Innovation Suite project pages for more information.

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