Northern Territory Government to deliver inaugural Creative Industries Strategy

The Northern Territory Government will work with the creative sector to establish an industry representative body, a key recommendation from the recently released NT’s inaugural Creative Industries Strategy which aims to grow the sector, broaden its economic base and create jobs.

The five-year Creative Industries Strategy 2020-24 supports the vision of an innovative sector that celebrates the Territory’s cultural distinctiveness, while enhancing liveability, attracting visitors and growing the economy.

Injecting around $735 million into the local economy each year and employing almost 2400 Territorians directly and indirectly, the creative industries are a key economic driver in communities throughout the Territory.

Co-led with industry, the Creative Industries Strategy 2020-24 aims to harness and grow the economic, social and cultural significance of the sector, with a series of identified goals, actions and measures to ensure a coordinated approach between industry, all levels of Government and the philanthropic sector.

Northern Territory Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Lauren Moss advises “the Territory has a strong and proud tradition of creation and innovation, dating back many thousands of years to the earliest rock art paintings.

“Today, our creative industries are a diverse and vibrant sector, with local artists and practitioners producing unique work of national and international acclaim.

“This is a sector that not only enriches our lives, tells our stories and challenges our perceptions, it is also a critical element of our economy, driving visitation and creating jobs in communities throughout the Territory. Post-COVID-19, the NT Government is working with business and industry to diversify and future-proof our economy and the creative industries will play a key role in that process.

“Industry-led ideas like establishing a textile manufacturing hub will help to guide our effort and investment to ensure that we are growing the sector and creating even more opportunities for creativity to flourish and for Territorians to take on jobs in the creative industries.

As a first step to developing an industry representative body, the NT Government will immediately establish a Creative Industries COVID-19 Recovery Working Group to provide expert and strategic advice to inform the sector’s recovery in the short-term and the implementation of other Strategy recommendations over the coming years.

The NT Government will also immediately fund a feasibility study into a textile manufacturing hub for the Territory – another key recommendation of the Strategy – to support the growth of the emerging fashion and textiles industry.

Minister Moss adds “Industry-led ideas like establishing a textile manufacturing hub will help to guide our effort and investment to ensure that we are growing the sector and creating even more opportunities for creativity to flourish and for Territorians to take on jobs in the creative industries.

“As we work to recover from the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that people will flock back to the Territory to immerse themselves in the unique cultural experiences we offer here and there will be more opportunity to export our creativity to the world.

“This Strategy, a key outcome of the Government’s Economic Development Framework, will help to guide and inform our collective effort. I commend the efforts of industry, the Chamber of Commerce and the Creative Industries Steering Committee who have together delivered such an important Strategy, backed up by strong economic evaluation and comprehensive consultation.” 

Developed through an extensive 12-month consultation process and conducted by the Chamber of Commerce NT, the Strategy incorporates feedback from individuals, organisations, and key stakeholders from all regions throughout the Territory.

Chamber of Commerce NT, Chief Executive, Greg Ireland notes “The Chamber of Commerce look forward to continuing to learn about the strengths of this sector and to supporting it to grow and prosper alongside other more established industries.  We are supportive of the Northern Territory Government’s commitment to the Creative Industries sector and we believe that with investment into the recommendations contained in the Strategy, the Creative Industries are able to contribute strongly to economic recovery for the NT.

“We understand the challenges that many industries have in working across vast regions, small widely dispersed populations, developing and reaching interstate and international markets and providing pathways for their workforce, encouraging investment in the infrastructure required. The Chamber will continue to lobby for the Creative Industries sector, and to represent Creatives, and to work with Government for better support for creatives, to create an incubator for growth and development for this unique and diverse industry sector.” 

For more information visit https://dtsc.nt.gov.au/arts-and-museums/creative-industries-strategy-2020-2024