A new study is to be carried out into the growing contribution of the arts industry to the economy of the Highlands and Islands.

It is expected that the research will highlight significant growth in the sector since the first ever survey took place in 1990. At that time the industry supported 800 full-time jobs in the area, and the last ten years has seen an explosion in quality and quantity of arts activity.

The study will be commissioned later this year by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and will be managed by HI Arts, the joint venture HIE has with the Scottish Arts Council (SAC).

HIE and SAC have recently confirmed their funding for HI Arts for the coming year - investing £206,000 (pounds) in a programme which it is hoped will lever up to £1m (pounds) more into the Highlands and Islands.

Chief executive of HIE Iain Robertson said: "We are confident our investment in HI Arts over the past 10 years has brought dividends and it is essential that we assess the economic impact of the arts industry to give us a fresh baseline for future development.

"Cultural activity is a key element in the promotion of community confidence and therefore integral to our strengthening communities strategy. It is also in itself a substantial economic generator."

HI Arts also plans to run an annual arts convention to further momentum amongst bodies working across the sector from drama to music and teaching to the visual arts.

HI Arts key tasks are currently the operation of the Screen Machine, the UK's only self-contained mobile cinema, MIDAS - a programme to develop the music industry in the region, a marketing programme for art galleries and visual arts centres across the Highlands and Islands and the management of the Highlands events listing website.

HI Arts director Robert Livingston said: "The continued support of HIE, and of the SAC, make it possible for HI Arts to take on many new challenges in the coming year. We hope to provide new training initiatives to improve the skills of artists and arts groups, and to develop our partnership with the UK body promoting business and arts links - Arts and Business Scotland. We also aim to support the growth of theatre companies in the Highlands and Islands through a joint funding scheme with the SAC."