Four UK universities are to receive a share of £16m from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) towards new 'Knowledge Exchange Hubs for the Creative Economy'.

The four successful institutions will work in partnership with arts and cultural groups; other universities; and creative businesses to promote research within the sector. One of the four hubs will be established at the University of Lancaster, which will work with TATE Liverpool; SAGE Gateshead; and Opera North among others.

Queen Mary, University of London is also to house one of the hubs, which features partners such as the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. The University of Dundee and the University of the West of England are the remaining hubs, which will see "significant benefits" to the UK creative sector - one of the world's largest.

AHRC chief executive officer Professor Rick Rylance said: "These AHRC Creative Economy Hubs offer the opportunity to unite these sectors to the benefit of both sides and the country as a whole."