Creative NZ welcomes 'innovation strategy'

IFACCA/Artshub,
14 February 2002, New Zealand

National arts development agency Creative New Zealand has welcomed the New Zealand Government's recognition of the creative industries in its latest innovation strategy. 'Globally, creative industries are growing faster than any other sector of industry,' commented Creative New Zealand's Chair Peter Biggs in response to the Growing an Innovative New Zealand statement, 'Innovation and risk-taking have always been at the core of artistic practice and this has placed artists at the centre of the creative industries.' Recent research undertaken by Creative NZ had shown the extent to which artists are 'cultural entrepreneurs', he said, not only working across a range of artforms, but also developing and applying diverse skills. 'Lord of the Rings, which drew on a range of New Zealand artists from jewellery makers to musicians, designers and actors, is just one example of the way artists are integral to the creative industries,' Biggs affirmed.