new member- opportunities for creative individuals in the UK?

Greetings! My husband and I are a European-American couple (I'm a Massachusetts native) now living in New Hampshire. We lived in my husband's home country Finland for 5 years before moving to NH. We are 35, childfree, both have 4-year university degrees, and both work full-time here in the States.

That's my background. I am devoting my life to the growing Creative Economy- writing, fine craft work, and film acting. My creative skills do not necessarily fit into a conventional job description; I have been doing all of my creative work as a micro business. My husband is an engineer.

We have been in the States for about 5 years. We are doing very well financially, accomplishing much more than we did in Finland. I have all of my immediate family members not more than 2.5 hours' drive away, but I feel emotionally mistreated by most of them. I am finding myself strangely unfulfilled and starting to wonder if I really belong in the U.S. (or maybe I'm one of those sorts who likes to keep moving around and will never really belong anywhere...)

At the same time, over the years, I've been picking up tidbits in various articles and commentaries that seem to indicate that Britain has more of a creative culture than the U.S. (maybe except for NYC??)

Does Britain have any schemes in place to import creative talent to help stimulate the economy? I envision myself carrying on my non-fiction writing, textile design, graphic design, and acting.

Since my husband is an EU citizen, my understanding is that from a legal point of view I wouldn't have any problems with immigration because I could come in on his passport.

I am just testing the water; this is a long shot because, even if I were to be convinced that there were opportunities for me waiting in GB, it would take a lot to convince my husband to consider moving. He is happy here in the States and is not interested in GB. I've never been to England apart from visits in transit through Heathrow on my way to and from Finland. But we are planning a trip there next year in celebration of our 10th anniversary.

So, is this even worth considering? What are your thoughts- what is the creative scene like in GB? I do know there's still a global recession on, but I think some areas are using the arts more than others to build a new economy. And them to throw another curve ball, maybe another possibility would be to do some short-term work in GB without actually immigrating there?

Thanks so much for any input! Please be brutally honest...

Since my husband is an EU citizen, my understanding is that from a legal point of view I wouldn't have any problems with immigration because I could come in on his passport.

Not quite.

You would need to get an EEA Family Permit which would allow you entry & to work in the UK for 6 months during which you would apply for an EEA Residence Permit which would allow you to live & work in the UK for a period of 5 years.


You can find additional information on the EEA process here:
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/ecg/eunationalsschemes/eeafamilypermit

and here: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf18eeaswissnationals

BTW: Welcome to UKY!!! 

Not quite.

You would need to get an EEA Family Permit which would allow you entry & to work in the UK for 6 months during which you would apply for an EEA Residence Permit which would allow you to live & work in the UK for a period of 5 years.


You can find additional information on the EEA process here:
newcomer link: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/ecg/eunationalsschemes/eeafamilypermit [nonactive]

and here: newcomer link: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf18eeaswissnationals [nonactive]

BTW: Welcome to UKY!!! 

Thanks for the reply!:) What you described= no problem. Of course there is always some paperwork, but what I meant is that because my husband is an EU citizen, my immigration to the UK would not be contingent on having a job offer or student visa, etc.

Very interesting question....

I do know that the economic situation isn't particularly rosy. How that will affect the arts is yet to be seen really. It is likely that public funding will be cut.  I don't particularly look for the current government to announce a major initiative to develop an arts-based economic programme,  but I am not sure if this is what you mean.

Personally I do think Europe in general has a more enriching cultural base. And I think that will hold up. That is based on not much, just a feeling really.

Very interesting question....

I do know that the economic situation isn't particularly rosy. How that will affect the arts is yet to be seen really. It is likely that public funding will be cut.  I don't particularly look for the current government to announce a major initiative to develop an arts-based economic programme,  but I am not sure if this is what you mean.

Personally I do think Europe in general has a more enriching cultural base. And I think that will hold up. That is based on not much, just a feeling really.

Thank you for the perspective! I realize my OP was awfully long (well, hey I'm a writer;) but I did want to give as much detail as possible concerning my question. We're planning to travel to England next year so it will be a good opportunity to feel things out.

My native region in Massachusetts has an initiative called Berkshire Creative newcomer link: http://berkshirecreative.org/ [nonactive] but I'm not really tempted to consider moving back there because I grew up there and kind of feel like I've outgrown the area.

Welcome to UKY!  

You might be interested in these links related to the arts:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/AdvancedSearch/Searchresults/index.htm?fullText=the+arts

Or starting up your own arts related business:
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/home

or volunteering in the charity arts sector on arrival:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Gettinginvolvedinyourcommunity/Volunteering/DG_10029484

The arts and charities sectors seem to be taking a hit in the financial downturn. As an anecdote, I have known a few people who have lost jobs through cut contracts in the sector.  

ETA: 'Two-thirds of people 'agree with arts funding change'
Road Side, by Paul Cummings Paul Cummings's Road Side is up for The Threadneedle Prize, which commissioned the survey

Two-thirds of people agree with the government's stance on cutting arts funding and increasing reliance on private cash, a survey has suggested.'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11162816