From AI to arts funding, 2025 forced the creative industries to confront uncomfortable truths about who owns work, who gets paid fairly, and who is held accountable.
Image courtesy of BOF 500
In 2025, the creative industry reached a boiling point. Debates that had been brewing for years – around fair pay, creative ownership, abusive leadership, access to funding, and the role of AI – moved from back-bench rumours and anonymous online posts to the centre of public conversation.
Below, we have rounded-up the industry stories that had the biggest impact this year, what they reveal about the future of creative work, and what emerging creatives need to understand as they navigate an increasingly complex landscape.
Data
19/12/2025
