Looking to the year ahead and the longer term investment in the economic and artistic future of Northern Ireland the Arts Minister Gregory Campbell in a message tonight said: “Tonight Northern Ireland launches the European Year of Creativity and Innovation with the 2009 Allianz Arts and Business Northern Ireland Creativity Awards being the first event in the calendar.
“I would like to congratulate the award winners and all those shortlisted for their inspiration and commitment to the arts and the contribution they have made to developing sustainable and creative partnerships.
“The awards are an excellent example of a way to promote creativity and innovation in Northern Ireland, using the arts to nurture skills such as creativity, imagination, flexibility, self confidence and self reliance.”
Discussing the global economy and the role that Northern Ireland plays, the minister said: “For Northern Ireland to be successful in 2009 and beyond we all need to work creatively and to think innovatively to stay ahead. In the current more challenging economic climate, creativity and innovation are essential to help make Northern Ireland more productive and prosperous.
“To succeed, businesses need skilled and creative people, the kind of people found in the arts who will grow the arts at all levels.”
Commenting on the launch of the £5million Creative Industries Innovation Fund, Minister Campbell concluded: “Last year I announced the fund to promote business enterprises in the creative sector. The fund needs to be used to support creative entrepreneurs with business planning, marketing, intellectual property issues and start-up finance to nurture long term creativity and innovation as an investment for our economy.
“The establishment of this fund shows that the Executive recognises the importance that creativity and innovation play in the future of Northern Ireland in 2009’s European Year of Creativity and Innovation and beyond.”