Industry segments 1-3 above are what are known as the ‘ cultural production ’ segments , while segments 3-6 are the ‘ creative services ’ segments .
How government programs which encourage and support businesses and individuals in these creative industries are designed , should reflect the important distinction between art and culture as a social , cultural or community pursuit and the creative industries as commercially-oriented business pursuits that can contribute to a region ’ s economic development .
Support for local art and culture can focus on developing the skills , capabilities and experience of local artists . This includes professional development / career development , but it does not include business development . In other words , the primary focus is on non-commercial activities and the aim should be to protect , promote , revitalise and maintain cultural heritage in the interests of community wellbeing .
On the other hand , creative industries support programs with an economic development focus - to help increase an area ’ s level of income and employment - should be specifically designed to support individuals and businesses with a commercial focus . This includes those seeking to build a business based on arts and culture as well as those looking to develop other ‘ creative ’ businesses or business ideas in ‘ new economy ’ sectors like , for example , web design , marketing and promotions , photography , etc .
THE TORRES STRAIT CULTURAL ARTS AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES BUSINESS GROWTH PACKAGE The Torres Strait is one of the most remote and sparsely populated regions in Australia . High costs of basic services and of doing business in the region , infrastructure shortfalls , unemployment and a lack of economic independence amongst many Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal people living in the region pose significant challenges in efforts to facilitate opportunities for commercially-viable businesses .
a population of 10,920 . The Torres Strait region ’ s population is widely dispersed across an area that is about 200 kilometres from north to south and approximately 240 kilometres from west to east , or 48,000 square kilometres in area . Thursday Island is the region ’ s principal centre , with a resident population of approximately 2,900 .
The Torres Strait Regional Authority ( TSRA ) is the lead economic development ‘ solution broker ’ for the Torres Strait Region . The TSRA Economic Development Programme Team works in partnership with other government and nongovernment organisations and individual communities to advance regional economic development by creating sustainable industries and increasing employment opportunities for Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal People living in the region equivalent to the wider Australian community .
The TSRA ’ s Economic Development Programme aims , as articulated in the Torres Strait Development Plan 2014-2018 , are to stimulate economic development across the Torres Strait Region ; advance business skills and align training initiatives
Figure 3 . The Torres Strait Region with regional employment opportunities ; and advance Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal ownership and management of businesses in the region .
Realisation of the TSRA ’ s Economic Development Programme objectives has been achieved through the design and implementation of the Torres Strait Regional Economic Investment Strategy . The Regional Economic Investment Strategy , or ‘ REIS ’ as it is commonly referred to in the region , is a strategic planning document which provides the overarching framework for the delivery of business assistance products and services by the TSRA .
In line with the Torres Strait Development Plan , the REIS provides the TSRA with a well-researched , analytical and informed approach to delivering targeted enterprise assistance to support commercially-viable Indigenous business development for all communities of the Torres Strait Region . By adding value to the TSRA ’ s Economic Development Programme objectives , implementation of the REIS has helped realise the region ’ s vision of ‘ Empowering our people , in our decision , in our culture , for our future ’.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics ’ 2016 Census of Population and Housing , the Torres Strait region - which includes the three local government areas of the Torres Shire Council , Torres Strait Island Regional Council and Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council - has
Source : Torres Strait Regional Authority
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