Creative industries are those based on individual creativity, skill and talent, plus those that have the potential to create wealth and jobs through developing intellectual property. The creative industries sector is diverse and fast-growing, and makes an important contribution to the economy and cultural life of the Highlands and Islands.
The sector is dominated by small and micro units, and includes a high proportion of semi-professionals, self-employed and voluntary/unpaid workers. This is the standard model worldwide, as business units will work with a much wider chain on individual projects.
In the UK, the sector is generally regarded as being made up of 13 distinct industries:
- advertising
- architecture
- art and antiques
- crafts
- design
- designer fashion
- film
- interactive leisure software
- music
- performing arts
- publishing
- software and computer services
- television and radio.
Turnover in the UK sector in 2006 was £5.1 billion and it supports over 60,000 jobs. The Scottish Government's Economic Strategy identified the sector as one where Scotland has a comparative advantage that can be built upon to increase productivity and growth.
Scotland's creativity is recognised throughout the world and has a strong international reputation.
News
30 March 2012
Fèisean nan Gàidheal will continue to play a key role in the continuing development of traditional music and Gaelic arts as Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) announces funding of £480,000 for the next three years.
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14 March 2012
Sutherland-based artist Gavin Lockhart has been commissioned to undertake the next stage of public art at John O’Groats, with a series of works celebrating the dramatic and changing coastline of Caithness.
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09 February 2012
ANTA, the dynamic Scottish textiles and ceramics company, opened its flagship store on Edinburgh’s George Street today (Thursday 9 February 2012).
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30 August 2011
A dynamic Scottish textile and ceramic company is to launch into the fashion capital of the world with a high profile presence in a leading new department store in Milan, Italy.
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22 July 2011
Hebridean Jewellery, a specialist jewellery maker based on the Island of South Uist that pioneered a renaissance in Celtic Jewellery, has been sold to its employees in a deal that will secure the future of the company, around 14 jobs and important design and manufacturing skills in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
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Events
2012
May
18
18 May 2012 to 20 September 2012, Inverness
Crochte are inviting high-end, original Highland artists/makers to take part in Crochte 2012. Crochte is a high quality, selected showcase, where cutting edge Highland designer-makers are given the opportunity to sell their work directly to the public. The pop up gallery will be in the Eastgate Shopping Centre, Inverness, from 18th May until 20th September. The Highlands are split into regions, each region having 2 weeks within the gallery to promote themselves and their region.
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May
30
30 May 2012, A computer near you
Find out how employing homeworkers can help to reduce your business costs and increase staff retention through our live webinar.
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May
30
30 May 2012, A computer near you
If you have ever wondered whether you could work from home this webcast might just have the answer for you.
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May
30
30 May 2012, Strathpeffer
This seminar is for communities, agencies and developers who want to share practice and learning about some of the practical ways community benefit/investment funds are being implemented locally and the impact being achieved for communities.
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Jun
1
01 June 2012, UK wide
Deadline - 1 June. The Grierson Awards are open for entries to the 2012 Awards for factual programmes and documentaries.
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Jun
6
06 June 2012 to 19 June 2012, Highlands & Islands
As part of goNORTH 2012 HIE are organising a series of Trend Workshops and one to one consultations which are to be held in Inverness, Stornoway, Lerwick and Kirkwall. Please note that there is also an additional Business of PR & Styling – Fashion/Crafts event taking place on 6 June in Inverness.
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Jun
6
06 June 2012, 4 locations
As part of goNORTH 2012 HIE are organising a series of Trend Workshops and one to one consultations which are to be held in Inverness, Stornoway, Lerwick and Kirkwall.
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Jun
6
06 June 2012, Inverness
Deadline Extended: Thursday 17 May -
This one day intensive training course takes place on Wednesday 6 June, 9.30 am - 5.30 pm and consists of a series of practical exercises which will equip you with the knowledge, tools and experience to help you break into the film and television industry.
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Jun
12
12 June 2012, SECC, Glasgow
The Scottish Technology Showcase 2012 offers an ideal opportunity for you to find solutions to your business challenges. This free event provides a platform for technology to enable your business to become more productive and more competitive, whatever your industry.
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Jun
21
21 June 2012, CCA Glasgow
Cryptic is a Scottish charity who’s primary aim is to support emerging artists present quality, innovative work which crosses creative boundaries in music, visual art, film and new media. As a solution to the need for a regular, supportive platform for emerging artists with fresh ideas, Cryptic launched Cryptic Nights in 2009 and since then has presented 116 artists. Cryptic Nights aims to present projects which dynamically engage audiences beyond the traditional art forms with a Cryptic edge by..
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Jun
22
22 June 2012, UK Wide
IdeasTap, a not-for-profit initiative supporting young creative people aged between 16-25, has announced that its Ideas Fund Innovators is open to applications. During this funding round, the Ideas Fund Innovators aim to offer ten projects £1,000 each to help get them off the ground.
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Jun
27
27 June 2012, The Links, Golspie Business Park, Golspie
This event is for companies interested in finding out about European opportunities and the support available through the Enterprise Europe Network.
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Aug
3
03 August 2012, London
The British Business Embassy, developed by UK Trade & Investment as part of the GREAT campaign, will help showcase global business partnerships along with the best of what the UK has to offer in some of our most successful industries, including ICT.
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Aug
23
23 August 2012 to 25 August 2012, Edinburgh
ScreenHI has been working with the Media Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival (MGEITF aka the Telly Festival) for several years now, sponsoring delegates from the Highlands and Islands on their Fast Track initiative. 2012 sees MGEITF launching a new scheme, which replaces Fast Track and aims to identify and reward 30 of the most exciting rising stars of the TV industry.
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Oct
26
26 October 2012, Highlands and Islands
Deadline - 27 April; 27 July & 26 October 2012. The Wellcome Trust is inviting organisations and individuals to apply for funding through its Arts Awards.
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