Creative Industries can help drive economy - McCausland

The creative industries have a key role to play in a prosperous society, Culture Minister Nelson McCausland said.

The Minister made the comments during a meeting at Stormont yesterday with a group of Masters students and staff from the University of Ulster. It allowed both sides to discuss their goals for the creative industries here.

The students taking part in the discussion included creative professionals, many of whom run their own businesses. Through their research and professional practices, the group are contributing to the development of the cultural and creative industries in Northern Ireland.

The Minister said that a diverse creative sector is reflective of a vibrant and flourishing society, and added: “It is recognised across the world that prosperous economies are characterised by a strong creative sector. The arts and creative industries can have a significant impact on achieving not only economic goals but also those relating to health, education and social inclusion.

“Investment in the arts and creative sector directly strengthens the Northern Ireland economy, for such investment fuels the emergence of creative people, services and enterprises.

In Northern Ireland, over 36,000 people are employed in the creative industries or in creative occupations, which represents approximately 4.6% of workforce.

The Minister continued: “My vision is for the potential of the creative industries to be fully realised and for Northern Ireland to be recognised as a global creative hub with local creative industries, competing and succeeding on the international stage.”

A diverse range of work has been undertaken by students in the group, including developing iphone applications, web design, corporate graphic design and multimedia design for education, learning and healthcare services. Also, students have been involved public sculptural practices, high-profile international exhibitions and a campaign to have Northern Ireland enter the Eurovision song contest.

Notes to editors:

1. In the UK, the Creative Industries sector contributes a greater proportion of GDP than any other nation. The sector accounted for £16billion of UK exports in 2006 equating to 4.3% of all goods and services and employs an estimated two million people, equating to nearly 7% of the workforce. In Northern Ireland, over 36,000 people are employed in the creative industries or in creative occupations. This represents approximately 4.6% of workforce – bigger than agriculture (3.1%) and Agri-food (2.4%) and Aerospace (7,200 employees).
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