Significance of Creative Economy in the South revealed
The significance of the Creative Economy in the South of Scotland has been revealed in a new guide which aims to highlight the sector’s potential.
The South of Scotland Creative Economy Guide details the value of the industry – made up of 16 sub-sectors including architecture, crafts, fashion and textiles, film and video, radio and TV, music and writing and publishing – which it estimates to be worth £280million a year to the region.
The South of Scotland Creative Economy Guide also estimates over 6,300 people work and volunteer in the sector, while there are almost 1,900 creative enterprises.
What is the Creative Economy?
The Creative Economy includes 16 sub-sectors which are:
- Advertising
- Architecture
- Computer games
- Crafts
- Cultural education
- Design
- Fashion and textiles
- Film and video
- Heritage
- Music
- Performing arts
- Photography
- Radio and TV
- Software and electronic publishing
- Visual art
- Writing and publishing.
Potential of Creative Economy
The Guide aims to raise awareness of the significant potential of the Creative Economy in the South to not only help attract investment but also promote opportunities for all to get into the industry.
The document, produced by South of Scotland Enterprise with support from Dumfries & Galloway and Scottish Borders councils as well as national partners, is aligned to the Regional Economic Strategy and has identified six priorities to take forward.
Priorities include
- These include focussing on film in the South through supporting screen developments and projects which address Net Zero and innovation in the industry.
- The Guide also identifies supporting the development of the Dumfries & Galloway Cultural Partnership and the Scottish Borders Creative Arts Business Network as a priority.
Jane Morrison-Ross, Chief Executive of SOSE, said:
“The South of Scotland Creative Economy Guide is the first action from a wider campaign which aims to help the sector to thrive and grow. It also recognises the importance of our culture and creativity to driving economic growth.
“The Guide highlights the massive opportunities for the sector, particularly around CreaTech where technology meets creativity, and we want to highlight this to attract the right kind of investment into our region.
“Partners across the South of Scotland are committed to unlocking creative cultural excellence across the region to ensure we continue to grow our strong Creative Economy.”
Councillor Ian Carruthers, Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Economy and Resources Committee said:
“We live in an exceptionally creative region and the sector is huge for our local economy. We look forward to exploring the potential to enable our local creative industries to expand and reach their full potential and attract others to our area.”
Vice Chair of Economy and Resources Committee, Councillor David Inglis added:
“The creative economy should never be underestimated, it is a large growth area, encompassing many aspects which creates wealth and jobs. We have a huge talent pool in our area, and we must do all we can to help support and maximise the potential of this often-overlooked sector.”
Councillor Euan Jardine, Scottish Borders Council’s Leader, said:
“The launch of the Creative Economy Guide is a clear statement of intent about how seriously the South of Scotland takes the creative sector and the benefits it brings to the economy.
“We have a strong creative sector across the South of Scotland and we hope this guide will highlight priorities and areas of opportunity and focus on the unique strengths and cultural identity of the region.
“The Guide sets out how we will enhance our reputation as one of the best places to work within the creative sector and how diverse it is.
“There is a rich creative knowledge base in the South of Scotland and this guide will help those businesses and organisations to develop opportunities.
“We hope this guide will strengthen and stimulate economic investments, drive demand in innovation and create skilled jobs.”