The Western Development Commission (WDC) and the Centre for Innovation and Structural Change (CISC) at NUI Galway have called for the development of an integrated national strategy to develop the creative sector and drive the future of the smart economy.

The call was made at a seminar entitled ‘Creative Industries, Innovation & the Smart Economy’ held at NUI Galway and attended by policymakers and practitioners from the creative sector.

The Smart Economy Framework, launched by the Government in December 2008, specifically identifies the creative, cultural and arts sector as important for national recovery and building a more knowledge and innovation intensive economy.

Speaking at the seminar Lisa McAllister, WDC Chief Executive, said: “Creativity should be firmly placed at the core of the smart economy where wealth creation will be increasingly driven by ideas, intangibles and the creative application of Information and Communications Technology. Although we are conscious of the current economic constraints, the WDC believes a national policy to develop the sector will deliver long term economic results for the Western Region and for the national economy. We also believe that future policy decisions should include investment in infrastructure so that the creative businesses who locate here can access international markets, both physically through air, road and rail links, and virtually by way of fast, cheap broadband to reduce any sense of peripherality”.

Dr James Cunningham, Director of the Centre for Innovation & Structural Change at NUI Galway, said: “The nature and organisation of innovation activity is changing and the development of an internationally competitive creative industries sector complements and helps sustain private and public sector investment in research, development and innovation (RDI). Development of a national policy for creative industries would provide a focus for enabling action and a recognition of the importance of creative industries to Irish society and business”.

Dr Cunningham added: “Policy supports and investment in the development of creative industries would strengthen, deepen and broaden the skills and talents of individuals and organisations. This would also support, in a sustainable way, the broadening of innovation capability and capacity which is a critical element of building a smart economy”.

The seminar heard of research carried out by the WDC to investigate the size of the creative sector in the Western Region and to identify the key issues faced by people working in the sector. It estimated that in 2008 there were 4,779 creative businesses operating in the Western Region, directly employing over 11,000 people. This generated an annual turnover of €534m and directly contributed €270m to the Gross Value Added of the regional economy. The research also showed that creative businesses in the Western Region tend to be small scale and that there is a high level of entrepreneurship among creative people with 39% of them self-employed.

The Western Region is predominantly rural with 68% of the population living in rural areas and the region having few large centres. Creative talent is seen as an asset in a rural region and the seminar heard calls for policies to retain and attract creative talent because creativity is one of the key areas for potential economic growth.

Ms McAllister added: “The presence of a strong creative sector in a region can also drive creative thinking in other sectors as well as stimulating new ways of thinking and new ways of doing things”.

Professor Robert Huggins from the University of Wales and Director of the Centre for International Competitiveness presented international evidence of the links between competitiveness and creativity. He explained how competitiveness is increasingly being measured in terms of creativity, knowledge and environmental conditions, rather than purely on accumulated wealth and that creativity is not a purely urban phenomenon.

The seminar heard that Creative Industries and the Smart Economy are relative newcomers to policy debates and that the old dichotomy that separated ‘cultural industries’ from ‘economic industries’ is waning, as research highlights the contribution of the innate creativity often found in rural areas to the economic performance of regions.

Ends

For further information please contact:
Lisa McAllister, Western Development Commission, 086 771 9969
or
Dr James Cunningham, Centre for Innovation and Structural Change, NUI Galway
091- 493472

Media contact:
Angela Bane, Bane Mullarkey, 087 286 5217

Michelle Ní Chróinín, NUI Galway, 091-493542/087-9025383

About the Centre for Innovation & Structural Change (CISC), NUI Galway

The Centre for Innovation and Structural Change (CISC) is a national inter-disciplinary research institute, based at NUI Galway, focussed on building an internationally-recognised programme of research and education on innovation processes and policies that are fundamental to the development of a knowledge-based economy. Established in 2002, CISC has developed a distinguished record in scholarship and research innovation and structural change.

The core focus of CISC is providing multidisciplinary insights into innovative chance. The five key research areas at CISC are:

1. Innovation Systems

2. Industry clustering

3. Internationally traded services

4. Inter-organisational systems

5. High Performance Work Systems

www.nuigalway.ie/cisc

 WDC sponsors Northwest Connects Conference – a fresh approach to connecting local creativity and regional networks

The WDC has described the upcoming Northwest Connects Conference as an opportunity for start-up and existing businesses in the Western Region to establish networks of support and tap into the region’s expertise. The conference will also provide an opportunity for members of the public to learn about many new and innovative businesses in the region.

Northwest Connects will take place at the Innovation Centre in IT Sligo on Saturday 28th November and is open to entrepreneurs, innovators and members of the public. Admission is free.

“We are delighted to sponsor the event as it links very well with our LookWest.ie initiative, which promotes the benefits of living, working and doing business in the Western Region. LookWest.ie was launched in 2004 and since then almost 600,000 people have used the website. It is now regarded as the definitive online guide for counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway and Clare“ said Joanne Grehan of the WDC.

“During the conference, a number of panel discussions and seminars will highlight the expertise and highly-skilled workforce available in the region, showcase the advantages of relocating or setting up a business here and outline enterprise supports and financial incentives available,” Ms Grehan added.

John Allen, Investment Executive at the WDC will give details of the Western Investment Fund (WIF), a seed and venture capital fund operated by the Western Development Commission. “The WIF was established by the government to address private sector market failure in the provision of risk capital in the western region. Investments are made on a commercial basis and they range from €100,000 to €1 million in return for a shareholding in the investee company,” said John. He added, “The WIF is interested in high-growth enterprises across a broad range of sectors. The WIF investment is complementary to supports available from mainstream enterprise development agencies and we co-invest with other venture capitalists, BES or Angel investors. I look forward to giving full details about the Fund at the conference on November 28th”.

“The WDC believes very strongly in creativity and that is why we have placed such an emphasis on it in our research and policy development programmes. We Irish are a highly creative people and our country attracts many other creative people from around the world. We have the capability, in particular with the Internet, of becoming a world creativity centre, bringing many thousands of sustainable jobs in its wake,” Ms Grehan said.

She concluded by noting that the conference is a great opportunity to highlight the creative and innovative work of companies and individuals in the North West Region.

Other sponsors include Sligo County Enterprise Board, Infacta, AIB and the IT Sligo Innovation Centre. Key speakers include Drury Communications MD, Padraig McKeon; Robert Martin, CEO of local award-winning emarketing solutions company Infacta; Innovation and Social Media Consultant, Johnny Beirne; Surf Seeds MD, Tim Rooney; and Justin Knecht of the Centre of Design Innovation. The conference is free to attend and limited spaces are still available. Registration, which is essential, will close on November 22nd and can be done at www.northwestconnects.ie.

Ends

For further information please contact:
Joanne Grehan, Western Development Commission, 086 856 5802
or
Angela Bane 087 286 5217

Time: 12.00-17.00

Date: Wednesday, 25th November 2009

Venue: Arás Moyola, National University of Ireland, Galway

The Western Development Commission, together with the Centre for Innovation & Structural Change (CISC), NUI Galway is hosting a half-day Seminar on ‘Creative Industries, Innovation & the Smart Economy’.  The seminar will contribute to the WDC’s strategy to promote and develop the creative sector in the Creative West, as well as examine the role of creativity in innovation and the move towards a ‘smart economy’.

‘… a nation without a vibrant creative labour force of artists, writers, designers, scriptwriters, playwrights, painters, musicians, film producers, directors, actors, dancers, choreographers, not to mention software engineers, new media practitioners, scientists, researchers and intellectuals does not possess the knowledge base to succeed in the information economy’ (Venturelli 2002: 16).

Creative Industries and the Smart Economy are relative newcomers to the policy debate.  The old separation of ‘cultural industries’ from ‘economic industries’ is waning as more and more research highlights the contribution of the former to the economic performance of places.  Recent contributions to creative industries literature have placed creativity at the core of the smart economy, where wealth creation is increasingly driven by ideas, intangibles and the creative application of ICTs.

The current economic downturn provides practitioners, policymakers and industry analysts with a unique opportunity to reflect on the importance of creativity in innovative pursuits.  This half-day seminar will build on the recent publication by the WDC (Creative West: The creative sector in the Western Region, 2009) and provide an opportunity to bring together different sub-groups from within the broadly defined creative industries – creative expression, creative application, creative technology.

From the policy perspective, tough decisions will have to be made in the upcoming Budget. Funding for the arts and culture in general has come under scrutiny.  This seminar will examine the logic behind such decisions and ask if there are better ways to depict the contribution of the creative sector to innovation systems.

The seminar format will be based around keynote speakers from the areas of Policy, Practice and Analysis.  After each keynote, a discussant will give more context, before opening it up to questions from the floor.  It is hoped the format will facilitate a lively and constructive debate on the role of creative industries in Ireland, and the West’s future economy.  Speakers include:

• Prof. Robert Huggins, Cardiff School of Management, University of Wales Institute and Director of Centre for International Competitiveness
• Mr. Paul Cummins, CEO, Telegeal
• Mr. Niall Ó Donnchú, Assistant Secretary General, Department of Arts, Sport & Tourism
• Ms. Helen Murphy, Head of Education, Training & Development, Crafts Council of Ireland
• Dr. Patrick Collins, Centre for Innovation & Structural Change at NUI, Galway
• Ms. Pauline White, Policy Analyst, Western Development Commission

To see full details of the programme and to confirm your attendance, please register on-line for this free event at CREATIVE INDUSTRIES REGISTRATION or visit www.conference.ie for more information.

ENDS

The Western Development Commission (WDC) and Let’s Do It Galway have announced that the exhibition of photographs from the LookWest.ie & Pix.ie Volvo Ocean Race Festival photo competition will go on a tour of sailing clubs and shopping centres throughout Ireland from now until December 12th. The nationwide tour of the exhibition follows its success when it was held recently in Galway.

 Joanne Grehan of the WDC said, “There was great public interest in seeing the photographs when they were exhibited in Galway, and because of that, we are now giving the opportunity to a national audience to see Galway and sailing at their best. The photographs show Galway in a fantastic light and the sailing clubs and shopping centres around the country jumped at the opportunity of hosting the exhibition.”

 Tour dates:

• November 3 -               Poolbeg Yacht Club
• November 4 -               Malahide Yacht Club
• November 6 – 9           CHQ, George’s Dock, Dublin
• November 10 –             Royal St George Yacht Club
• November 11 -              Howth Yacht Club
• November 12 -              National Yacht Club
• November 13 – 18       Dun Laoghaire Shopping Centre
• November 19 – 22        Mahon Point Shopping Centre
• November 25 – Dec 1 Killarney Outlet Centre
• December 4 –                  Tralee Bay Sailing Club
• December 12 –                Lough Ree Sailing Club

 During the Galway Volvo Ocean Race Festival Let’s Do It Galway together with the Western Development Commission (WDC) and photo sharing website Pix.ie held an innovative photo competition which saw 17,000 images of all of the colour and action of the two week event uploaded to Pix.ie.

 The exhibition features the best 100 photographs which were judged to have captured the spirit and atmosphere of the Galway Volvo Ocean Race Festival last May-June when 650,000 people visited Galway to welcome the Volvo Ocean Race and enjoy over 100 free events over a two week period.

 Ms Grehan added, “Now that we are bringing the exhibition on a tour of Ireland, more people can have the chance to experience the two weeks of glorious sunshine when Galway played host to Ireland’s largest sporting event in June.

 The photos cover everything from the opening ceremony, the boats and the air show, to the entertainment, excitement and fun of the race village. The photos really capture the city, its people and its visitors, and anyone with 10 or 15 minutes to spare at some stage over the next month should pop in to have a look. It’s a great way to remember the fantastic festival in June and to remind ourselves of what Galway achieved by hosting it.”

 While this touring exhibition features the top 100 pictures, there are thousands of others that are also well worth a look at http://pix.ie/go/lookwest.

 The photo competition and exhibition were sponsored by The Western Development Commission (WDC) as part of its work to highlight the ‘Creative West’ as the Western Region rapidly becomes Ireland’s hub for the creative industries.

LookWest.ie chun Gaillimh agus Rás Farraige Volvo a léiriú i dTaispeántas Taistil Náisiúnta

D’fhógair Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair (WDC) agus Let’s Do It Galway go gcuirfear an taispeántas de ghrianghraif a iontráladh i gcomórtas grianghraf Rás Farraige Volvo LookWest.ie & Pix.ie ar taispeáint i gclubanna seoltóireachta agus i lárionaid siopadóireachta ar fud na hÉireann go dtí an 12 Nollaig. Rinneadh cinneadh an taispeántas a thabhairt ar thuras náisiúnta toisc an spéis a bhí ann nuair a reáchtáladh é i nGaillimh le deireanas.

Dúirt Joanne Grehan a oibríonn leis an WDC, “Bhí spéis mhór ag an bpobal sna grianghraif nuair a cuireadh ar taispeáint i nGaillimh iad, agus mar thoradh air sin, táimid ag tabhairt deise do lucht féachana náisiúnta féachaint ar ghrianghraif den scoth de Ghaillimh agus de sheoltóireacht. Tugann na grianghraif léargas iontach ar Ghaillimh agus bhí na clubanna seoltóireachta agus lárionaid siopadóireachta ar fud na tíre thar a bheith sásta an taispeántas a óstáil.”

Dátaí an turais:

Samhain 3 – Club Luamhaireachta an Phoill Bhig

Samhain 4 -Club Luamhaireachta Mhullach Íde

Samhain 6 – 9 CHQ, Duga Sheoirse, BÁC

Samhain 10 Club Luamhaireachta Ríoga San Seoirse

Samhain 11 Club Luamhaireachta Bhinn Éadair

Samhain 12 An Club Luamhaireachta Náisiúnta

Samhain 13 – 18 Lárionad Siopadóireachta Dhún Laoghaire

Samhain 19 – 22 Lárionad Siopadóireachta Rinn Mhachan

Samhain 25 – Dec 1 Lárionad Asraonta Chill Airne

Nollaig 4 Club Seoltóireachta Bhá Thrá Lí

Nollaig 12 Club Seoltóireachta Loch Rí

I rith Fhéile Rás Farraige Volvo na Gaillimhe, reáchtáil Let’s Do It Galway agus Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair (WDC), comórtas grianghraf nuálaíoch i gcomhar leis an láithreán gréasáin um ghrianghraif a chomhroinnt, Pix.ie. Mar thoradh ar an gcomórtas sin, uaslódáladh 17,000 grianghraf chuig Pix.ie ina léirítear gníomhaíochtaí ildaite uile na hócáide coicís i bhfad.

Sa taispeántas, tá an 100 grianghraf is fearr a léiríonn spiorad agus atmaisféar Fhéile Rás Farraige Volvo a reáchtáladh i nGaillimh i mí na Bealtaine – mí an Mheithimh seo caite, nuair a thug 650,000 duine cuairt ar Ghaillimh chun fáilte a chur roimh Rás Farraige Volvo agus chun taitneamh a bhaint as breis agus 100 ócáid saor in aisce a cuireadh ar fáil le linn na coicíse.

Dúirt an tUasal Grehan freisin, “Anois, tá an taispeántas ag dul ar turas timpeall na hÉireann chun cur ar chumas breis daoine léargas a fháil ar an gcoicís ghrianmhar, iontach i mí an Mheithimh nuair a d’óstáil an Ghaillimh an ócáid spóirt is mó in Éirinn.

Baineann na grianghraif le gach gné den fhéile: an searmanas oscailte, na báid agus an seó aeir, agus siamsaíocht, corraitheacht agus spraoi shráidbhaile an ráis. Tugann na grianghraif léargas iontach ar an gcathair, ar na daoine a chónaíonn inti, agus ar na cuairteoirí, agus ba chóir d’aon duine le 10 nó 15 nóiméad le spáráil sa mhí amach romhainn bualadh isteach chun féachaint orthu. Is bealach maith é chun cuimhneamh ar an bhféile iontach i mí an Mheithimh agus chun cur i gcuimhne dúinn féin an méid a bhain an Ghaillimh amach nuair a d’éirigh léi ócáid den sórt seo a óstáil.”

Cé go mbeidh na 100 grianghraf is fearr le feiceáil sa taispeántas atá ar turas, tá na mílte grianghraf iontach eile ar fáil ar http://pix.ie/go/lookwest .

Rinne Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair (WDC) urraíocht ar an gcomórtas agus ar an taispeántas grianghraf mar chuid dá iarrachtaí aird a tharraingt ar an ‘Iarthar Cruthaitheach’, mar tá Réigiún an Iarthair ag teacht chun cinn go tapa mar mhol Éireannach do thionscail chruthaitheacha.