Creative Industries

The creative industries are emerging as one of the fastest growing and increasingly important sectors of the economy. Our most recent estimates indicate that there are over 2,500 creative enterprises in Northern Ireland, employing some 34,600 people.

The Northern Ireland Executive has established growing a dynamic and innovative economy as its primary strategic objective in the Programme for Government. Within that, the increasing importance of the creative industries has been recognised, with a specific goal to grow the sector by up to 15% by 2011.

The Northern Ireland Creative Industries Strategic Action Plan establishes the main issues and opportunities for the growth of the creative industries in the region. It is a strategic approach designed to be flexible and robust and will be the policy context in which we will deliver the Creative Industries Innovation Fund.

DCAL has secured £5m from the Innovation Fund to establish the Creative Industries Innovation Fund to contribute to the growth of Northern Ireland's cultural capital by supporting creativity and creative talents in their business activities. The Strategic Action Plan and the Creative Industries Innovation Fund were launched in October 2008 by Arts Minister, Gregory Campbell

The fund is be administered by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and further details can be found on their website  A second round for applications was closed in February 2009.  There is a very high level of interest in the fund.  Awards for tranche 2 were announced in September 2009. Details of awards can be found on the Arts Council website.