Creative industries could play lead role in island's future economy

Thursday 16 May 2024

Creative industries like film, television and performing arts could play a big role in Jersey’s future economy, a panel of international experts told over 100 islanders this morning.

Independent artists, States Members, representatives from Visit Jersey, Jersey Employment Trust, and more, attended the day-long ‘Creative Industries Conference’ in the Freedom Centre – a free event open to all.

At the conference – organised by the Creative Island Partnership – creative consultants Dr Tom Fleming, Carlos Martins, Johanna Kouzmine-Karavaïeff, from the UK, Portugal and Sweden respectively, spoke about how the creative economy drives growth.

The panel session and workshop's goal was to start building a roadmap for Jersey's future creative economy.

Pictured: The event was well-attended by members of the island's creative industries.

The Government's Head of Economic Analysis Kirsty Pearson outlined two challenges facing Jersey, the first of which was declining productivity among the workforce.

In 2020, the island needed almost two workers to produce the output previously produced by one worker in 1999.

The second challenge was the island's ageing population, including a falling birth rate.

Ms Pearson said: "A strong, vibrant creative sector can help drive economic growth. It can do this directly, through entrepreneurial activity, harnessing creative spirit that can be an engine for growth.

"It can also do this indirectly, because it makes Jersey a better place for people to live. People will want to come here. It will attract and retain talent, and that is also important for driving economic growth.

"We have a lot of churn in the population, and a strong creative industry will help us to retain workers. People say that there is not quite enough to do here all the year round – can creative industries fill that gap?"

Pictured: "People say that there is not quite enough to do here all the year round – can creative industries fill that gap?"

It would also provide opportunities for an ageing population to remain active and engaged in their later years, she explained.

Ms Pearson added that it could also help keep young people in the island and referred to a recent study which found that 88% of surveyed 19 to 29-year-olds planned or thought they would leave Jersey, citing a lack of things to do.

Dr Tom Fleming's presentation addressed how creative industries can play a more significant role, and contribute more effectively to the island's GDP and its way of life.

He described Jersey as a "living lab" which could experiment with ways to grow its brand, culture, and build cultural tourism.