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
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 March 2012
New life has been breathed into a former Harris Tweed Mill in Stornoway, which was officially opened today (Friday 9th March) as the new Creative Industries and Media Centre (CIMC).
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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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26 January 2012
goNORTH 2012, one of Scotland’s largest creative industries festivals will run from the 6-7 June 2012 across the city of Inverness. It is a showcase for Scotland and brings the creative industries to the Highlands and Islands.
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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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Events
2012
Mar
5
05 March 2012 to 30 March 2012, Highlands and Islands
Deadline - 30 March 2012. goNorth 2012 are looking for your films.... This year goNORTH are going to be screening a full programme of curated features, which will encompass content from our production partners from across the UK, Europe and America.
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Mar
5
05 March 2012 to 30 March 2012, Highlands and Islands
The goNORTH live showcases deadline is fast approaching, get your entries in now!
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Mar
22
22 March 2012, Highlands and Islands
The Scottish Academy of Fashion has teamed up with Textiles Scotland to offer a series of continuing professional development (CPD) workshops.
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Mar
23
23 March 2012, Highlands and Islands
‘Awards for Young Musicians’ supports the UK's most talented young instrumentalists aged 5-17 years of age who, because of financial need, may be prevented from fulfilling their creative potential.
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Mar
26
26 March 2012, Highlands and Islands
This funding scheme to assist individuals to develop and extend their own professional visual art practice is now open for applications.
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Mar
27
27 March 2012, Glasgow SECC
The Social Enterprise Exchange 2012, sponsored by HIE, is the result of an exciting partnership, which brings together the two leading social enterprise events in the UK and Scotland respectively: Voice and S2S. This unique initiative between Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) and Social Enterprise Scotland, delivered in partnership with CEiS, will create the world’s largest social enterprise event in 2012.
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Mar
27
27 March 2012, Dunblane
The Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) works with businesses throughout Scotland providing expert advice, one-to-one support, training and events for manufacturing businesses of all sizes.
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Mar
27
27 March 2012, Dunblane
Gain insights into some of Scotland’s most recognisable companies and discover how they are competing in a global marketplace at this specialist manufacturing event.
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Mar
30
30 March 2012, Highlands and Islands
Deadline 30 March. The Clore Duffield Poetry and Literary Awards, with a deadline set for 30 March 2012, are worth a total of £1m over five years, from 2011 to 2015, with individual awards ranging from £1,000 to £10,000.
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Mar
30
30 March 2012 to 01 June 2012, Highlands and Islands
Deadlines from 30 March to 01 June. The MEDIA Programme offers many different funding schemes, each targeting different areas of the audiovisual sector. A selection of calls are currently open
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Apr
17
17 April 2012, Inverness
This is a free event for companies interested in finding out about exporting to Ireland.
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Apr
24
24 April 2012 to 26 April 2012, Brussels
Following the success again of this year’s event in Brussels, Scottish Development International and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are again providing the opportunity for Scottish companies to be part of the Scotland Food & Drink Pavilion at the European Seafood Exposition 2012.
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Apr
25
25 April 2012, Highlands and Islands
Deadline – 25 April 2012. NESTA has just launched a new programme for arts and cultural organisations in Scotland.
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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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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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