Strengthening Scotland's creative industries

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop today set out her vision for the creative industries while visiting cultural and creative collaborations between Japan and Scotland.

Developed in partnership with industry representatives, the Scottish Government’s Creative Industries Policy Statement has been published to establish priorities for growing the sector, which include:

• developing and retaining skills, and attracting international talent

• promoting Scotland’s strengths internationally, through overseas hubs and by working closely with Scottish Development International

• developing business support and creative networks

• promoting the value of design

The plan comes on the back of new Scottish Government analysis which shows the creative industries support around £9 billion of activity within the wider Scottish economy, contributing £5.5 billion to Scotland’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The Cabinet Secretary has witnessed the international impact of cultural and creative collaborations during her visit to Japan this week, announcing the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra’s debut at next year’s Edinburgh International Festival, as well as funding of £50,000 from the Scottish Government to support the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at Proms Japan later this month.

Ms Hyslop said:

“The great social, cultural and economic value of our creative industries is unparalleled. They unlock innovation and growth in other sectors, and promote Scotland across the world.

“The Creative Industries Policy Statement articulates our vision and sets out priorities which will focus our work for the sector. I am grateful to the members of the Creative Industries Advisory group for their input.”

Irene Kernan, Director of Craft Scotland, which has been showcasing handmade craft from Scotland in Japan during the Rugby World Cup, said:

“The policy statement supports our goal of nurturing talent and enabling makers to develop sustainable craft careers.”


Background

The Creative Industries Policy Statement can be found here.

It has been developed in collaboration with the Creative Industries Advisory Group, which is made up of creative practitioners and business leaders, to set out priorities for SG and partners, while working with the sector and wider stakeholders.

Partners will now jointly develop an action plan to take forward priorities and help realise this vision. Partners include Creative Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Economic Partnership/South of Scotland Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, and the Scottish Funding Council.