Royal Shakespeare Company to partner with VR tech companies as part of arts industry funding boost

The Royal Shakespeare Company is to partner with video game and immersive reality companies to help boost skills and develop new products within the arts industry.

The news comes as part of a Government announcement for more projects and funding for the arts in the West Midlands.

The CreaTech Frontiers investment focuses on developing small, micro- and medium-sized businesses specialising in creative tech such as VR (virtual reality).

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) will work with these partners in a research and development capacity to boost skills, develop products, new technology and multi-platform content.

This will include using VR, 3D-modelling and animation techniques in live events, and adapting video game engines for use in music, theatre and film.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy unveiled a £13.5 million investment in training, research, and development for a range of projects.

She said: "Talent is everywhere but opportunity is not. That’s why we are supporting firms, artists and freelancers that are innovating, using new technology and driving growth in creative clusters across the country.

"Birmingham and the West Midlands have a rich industrial history, and we are putting them at the forefront of a potential new industry developing the amazing technology that will revolutionise visual effects in film, theatre and gaming."

Of the share of the pot, the West Midlands will get £6.75 million, which will be aimed at businesses specialising in creative tech like video games and immersive reality and industry working with many partners including universities and the RSC.

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