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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY THE DEPUTY OF GROUVILLE
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 12th MAY 2015
Question
The Cultural Strategy was approved by the States in 2005 (P.154/2005) and recommended that the creative industries should be encouraged. Now that the remit for culture is to be transferred from the Minister for Economic Development from the Minister for Education, Sport and Culture could the Minister outline what plans there are to encourage the creative industries in Jersey?
Answer
The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture has been active in initiating a British-Irish Council work- stream on the creative industries which is led by Jersey. The purpose of the work-stream is to enable the participating administrations to compare experiences and share good practice in their approach to supporting the creative industries.
The work-stream is due to present its first report later this year. It will address three themes:
- Developing the Skills Capacity for Creative Industries
- Creative Collaboration
- Impact of Creative Industries on the Wider Economy
I expect the results of the workstream's report to inform my Department's approach to supporting the creative industries once responsibility for Culture has been transferred.
It has already become apparent that an important aspect of encouraging development of the creative industries is an effective representation for what is a diverse sector, I therefore welcome recently announced plans to re-establish an industry group in the Island and confirm that officer involvement in such a group has already been offered.
In addition there is a high degree of crossover between the creative industries and the digital sector, where Digital Jersey has been in the vanguard of States efforts to develop a strong island presence and seek to open up opportunities for on and off-island cooperation.
The Department will continue to grant fund the Jersey Arts Trust, which through initiatives such as its on- island Artists Lock-in' and Skipton Open Studios' helps promote local artists and build strong international, creative industry linkages whilst providing the Island cultural diplomacy opportunities.
I also recognise that, apart from the revenue support given to the cultural sector, a number of other recent initiatives are to be encouraged: for example, the commissioning of Jersey artists to undertake public art projects like those marking the Diamond Jubilee and the 350th anniversary of the gift of the Royal Mace; and the encouragement of local involvement in the Environment Department's percentage for art policy.
One of the priorities upon the transfer of Ministerial portfolios will be the development of a new Cultural Strategy, within which it is proposed there will be an expanded component of activity designed to develop the creative industries.