Published in May 2014, the report was commissioned to review the approaches and conclusions drawn from literature surrounding the economic impacts of investment in culture. It particularly focuses on additionality factors that should be applied to economic impact estimates.

The report discusses the economic impact methodology of three cultural events in the North: Liverpool 2008 (European Capital of Culture), The Lowry Theatre in Salford, and AV Festival in the North East. The report also includes examples from some of the 40 case studies reviewed.