The research initiative on the ASEAN creative economy will examine three priority areas: creative technology, market research and understanding, and the festival ecosystem. By facilitating knowledge exchange across the region, the programme seeks to strengthen pathways toward a sustainable ASEAN creative economy.
Arts and Technologies in ASEAN: Interconnected Parts
Research focusing on the creative technology landscape in ASEAN
Read and download the report
ASEAN's arts and technologies ecosystem has rapidly evolved over the past decade, shaped by tradition, modernity, and digital innovation. Social media, immersive experiences, and AI have transformed the landscape, while the pandemic accelerated digital-first approaches and created new livelihood opportunities. Artists push boundaries through 3D, sensors, lighting, and sound production, reflecting a region alive with experimentation.
Arts and Technologies in ASEAN: Interconnected Parts, commissioned by the British Council and delivered by Creative Friction Ltd., examines these developments across 10 ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste. Based on 60+ interviews and case studies, the research offers an artist-led perspective on emerging practices, while also analysing the regulatory environment. As part of the ASEAN-UK Advancing Creative Economy programme, it identifies opportunities to strengthen UK–ASEAN collaboration and provides insights to shape future professional development and knowledge exchange initiatives.
Perception survey: Regional perception report on the ASEAN creative economy
Perception and insights research
Launching in October 2025
The Regional Perception Poll on the ASEAN Creative Economy, part of the ASEAN-UK Advancing Creative Economy programme, explores the region's evolving cultural and creative sectors. Drawing on insights from 4,117 respondents—producers and consumers— across ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste, the study examines how the creative economy is perceived, its challenges, and the opportunities it presents for growth.
Using an ecosystem approach, the research highlights the interconnected nature of cultural and creative practices and the relationships among artists, audiences, industries, and policymakers. Findings reveal the need for tailored, context-specific strategies and greater regional cooperation. The study provides vital evidence to inform future collaborations between the UK and ASEAN in strengthening the creative economy.
ASEAN Festival research and mapping
On-going
Building on insights published 'Festivals in South East Asia', our new research programme will give a more comprehensive understanding of the diverse festival landscape in the region. The research will provide key insights for the festival sector across ASEAN and provide resources to help in shape future UK-ASEAN collaborations and initiatives.