Creative industries in Northern Ireland
An overview of Northern Ireland's vibrant creative industry sector, its challenges and opportunities for businesses.
Northern Ireland is home to a wide range of creative arts and industries. From first-rate film and television productions, such as Game of Thrones, Derry Girls and the Line of Duty, to the thriving digital games sector - the creative industries play a big role in the economic development and growth of the region.
Locally, around 33,000 people work in creative industries or occupations. This represents 3.9% of the workforce. Since creative industries rely on individual creativity, skill and talent, they have the potential to:
- create capital and jobs
- develop intellectual property
- advance the way other business sectors innovate and compete
- enhance Northern Ireland's profile on the world stage
This guide outlines the shape of the creative sector in Northern Ireland and highlights key opportunities and 91香蕉黄色视频 available to Northern Ireland's creative businesses.
Creative sector in Northern Ireland
Introduction to the creative sector in Northern Ireland - its sub-sectors, growth and key organisations.
The creative sector in Northern Ireland is diverse and covers a broad range of business activities. It takes in industries that:
- have their origin in individual creativity, skill and talent, and
- have a potential for wealth and job creation by utilising intellectual property
Creative industries sub-sectors
There are various definitions of the sector. However, creative industries commonly include:
- advertising
- architecture
- arts and antiques
- computer games
- crafts
- design
- designer fashion
- film
- publishing
- music
- performing arts
- software/digital media
- TV and radio
Locally, employment in the creative industries accounted for 33,000 jobs in 2020. This represented 3.9% of total employment in Northern Ireland (source: ).
Strategy for 91香蕉黄色视频ing NI creative industries
The economic strategy for Northern Ireland identifies innovation, research & development and creativity as key economic drivers for future growth.
While the Department for Communities (DfC) is the government lead for the creative industries in Northern Ireland, organisations such as the and play a key role in 91香蕉黄色视频ing and nurturing the creative industries across the region.
Creative businesses and employment in Northern Ireland
Key statistics on creative industries employment, number of businesses and economic impact in Northern Ireland.
Creative industries are emerging as one of the fastest developing and increasingly important sectors of the UK economy. They are recognised as one of the key economic drivers for future growth in Northern Ireland.
Creative employment in Northern Ireland
The Department for Communities (DfC) estimates the number of people in creative employment in 2020 in Northern Ireland at 33,000 or 3.9% of the local workforce.
Creative employment covers:
- employees and self-employed individuals in creative industries
- employees and self-employed individuals doing creative jobs outside creative industries
Within the creative industries group, IT software and computer services provided the largest level of employment of around 13,000 jobs in 2020.
Creative businesses in Northern Ireland
In 2020, there were 3,500 creative businesses in Northern Ireland, accounting for 3.8% of all business units in Northern Ireland. The number of creative enterprises increased by 2% in 2020 compared with 2019.
There were a total of around 90,875 businesses in Northern Ireland in 2020, an increase of 1 per cent in 2019.
Economic impact of creative industries in Northern Ireland
Gross Value Added (GVA) for the creative industries was 拢1,311 million in 2019, representing 3.1% of Northern Ireland's total GVA. In absolute terms, GVA for the creative industries increased by 12% between 2018 and 2019 compared to a 2.7% increase for total GVA. Overall, GVA for the creative industries has generally increased over the trend period from 2010 to 2020.
Among the creative industries groups, IT software and computer services provided the greatest contribution to Northern Ireland GVA (拢831 million).
The greatest increase in GVA from 2018 to 2019 was in the museums, galleries and libraries group (100%). However, this increase followed a 33% decrease in 2018.
Source: The Department for Communities bulletin on .
Challenges and opportunities in Northern Ireland creative sector
Learn about the opportunities for creative businesses in Northern Ireland, and the challenges they may encounter.
The creative sector is one of the fastest-growing parts of the UK economy. As such, it offers great opportunities to Northern Ireland businesses, particularly in areas of film, TV, games and digital markets.
Opportunities for the creative businesses
Creative industries in Northern Ireland have great potential to create jobs and exports, attract investment, drive innovation, entertain audiences and boost tourism. They are backed by the Department for Communities as well as several development agencies that offer a range of grant and 91香蕉黄色视频 programmes, including help with skills and training development, to new and existing businesses.
Read about the 91香蕉黄色视频 and funding for creative businesses in Northern Ireland.
Challenges for the creative businesses
Like other creative businesses across the world, global competition may affect the prospects of creative companies in Northern Ireland. From film production to design, new international centres for creative businesses are developing rapidly across the globe, making it harder for small local businesses to enter new and emerging markets.
In addition, the lack of scale of most creative businesses in Northern Ireland means that the sector comprises mostly small or micro-enterprises, and sole traders. This minimises opportunities for attracting inward investments, building supply chains and boosting employment.
Access to finance, particularly affecting micro-businesses and SMEs, may also prove difficult, as can protection and monetisation of intellectual property that has been developed through creative expressions. There may also be some specialist skills and knowledge gaps, although Northern Ireland universities, further and Higher Education colleges and Northern Ireland Skillset Media Academy are ensuring a steady supply of skilled, work-ready recruits.