Creative Industries
The Arts and Creative Industries, along with our funded artists and arts organisations, are a powerful and growing economic driver across Northern Ireland. From festivals, theatres and venues, visual art, dramaturgy, music and community arts practice. The Arts Sector is making a significant skills-based economic contribution to film, gaming and digital content; making Northern Ireland a better place to work, live and play.
The Arts create jobs, attract international visitors and significantly contribute to Northern Ireland’s position as a competitive place to invest in. A strong creative sector with creative skills is not a luxury – it is a strategic asset which actively contributes to economic development, today and tomorrow.
The Arts provide...
in Gross Value Added to the Northern Ireland economy (2023)*
Jobs (2024)*
of general population survey respondents attended an arts activity in the past 12 months**
Case Study: Place to Wonder – Luna in Dreamland
Luna in Dreamland is a magical animation series to be broadcast on RTÉ and BBC NI in 2027. It is the result of support from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Department for Communities' Creative Seed Fund and is a series focusing on mindfulness through child centred language, helping to reduce anxiety in young people.
The grant allowed children’s theatre Place to Wonder to explore alternative technologies and business models and the project is expected to create 14 creative jobs, all based in Northern Ireland.
Hear their story below:
Sources
*Creative Industries Economic Estimates for NI: Creative Industries Economic Estimates for Northern Ireland
**General population survey 2023: General Population Survey shows majority support… | Arts Council NI