Speaking at the launch of the Creativity Industries Innovation Fund in Limavady today the Minister said: “The creative industries sector is a very important sector of the economy and has the potential to generate very significant and long lasting economic benefits for Northern Ireland.
“In terms of the economic value, it is estimated that around 34,600, or 4.7% of the working population, is employed in the creative sector which is growing at a faster rate than the economy in general.
“By investing in the development of talents and skills of our people we will improve our competitive position in national and international markets and reap the benefits in our communities. The drive to develop new markets, and in particular to encourage an outward-looking, global perspective, underpins all.”
The creative sector is diverse and includes advertising, architecture and design consultancies, film and television companies, computer and video games development, music labels and book and magazine publishers, theatre, opera and dance companies and live music promoters, and craft-makers, visual artists and designer-makers.
The Minister continued: “One of the goals of the Programme for Government is to grow the creative sector by up to 15% by 2011. The opportunities are there to meet this target with the help of new technologies and the development of new markets, that did not exist a few years ago, opening up for creative entrepreneurs.”
The Minister said that the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure had developed the Creative Industries Strategic Action Plan in consultation with key stakeholders and is working closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and Invest NI on the way ahead for the sector.
He said: “The Action Plan will support initiatives to increase the quality, visibility and value of the creative industries. It will focus on innovation in business, in people and in sectoral infrastructure and knowledge.
“I believe that the Creative Industries Innovation Fund can be a vital component contributing to the Programme for Government commitments and, in doing so, helping Northern Ireland become a world class hub for the creative industries.
“If we can do this we will not only reap the economic benefits, but we will build cultural capacity, improving the quality of life of our citizens and the perceptions of Northern Ireland on the global stage.”
At today’s launch the Department was partnered by the Arts Council for Northern Ireland.
Commenting on the Fund, Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland added: "The Arts Council is pleased to be administering this new fund as it not only supports a government priority, but also helps the Arts Council to achieve one of the key themes of our five-year strategic plan for developing the arts in Northern Ireland, which is to provide the type of support artists and creative business people need to develop and sustain a flourishing creative industries sector.
"One of the challenges facing us over the coming years is to develop the kind of creative and economic environment that will encourage our artists and creative business people to remain in Northern Ireland, as well as attracting other innovators from around the world to live and work here. Today's announcement of funding for the development of the local creative industries will go some way to establishing such an environment."
The event, which also celebrated the Success of Craft NI’s “Making It” programme featured a showcase from a number of artists who have graduated from the Craft NI “Making It” programme. The programme has been supported by Invest NI and the Arts Council.
Notes to Editors:
- Earlier this year DCAL secured £5million from the £90million Northern Ireland Innovation Fund for the establishment of the Creative Industries Innovation Fund.
- The Arts Council of Northern Ireland will administer the Fund on behalf of DCAL. There will be a number of calls for proposals to the Creative Industries Innovation Fund, commencing with an initial call in October 2008 and a further call in early 2009.
- The initial call will be to Sectoral Bodies (i.e. film, craft and music organisations) only, for innovative initiatives which will develop the infrastructure, knowledge and people within the sector.
- Subsequent calls will be targeted towards emerging creative businesses to help entrepreneurs become more competitive by providing assistance with business planning, marketing and intellectual property issues, as well as start-up finance.
- The businesses supported will normally be below the threshold to become Invest NI clients, but it is anticipated that support from the Fund will help a number to reach this level.
- All media enquiries to DCAL Press Office on 028 9025 8902 or email press.office@dcalni.gov.uk
- Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
