business development programs first-hand is in Australia ’ s Torres Strait Region . Over a period of five years from early 2015 , I was fortunate to have spent many weeks and months working in the Torres Strait Region ’ s 16 communities , firstly to review the Torres Strait Regional Authority ’ s previous community and economic development program and thereafter , to help design a new approach to regional economic development through the preparation of the Torres Strait Regional Economic Investment Strategy ( REIS ).
Figure 2 . Creative Industries Segments and Sectors
The REIS was prepared by the Torres Strait Regional Authority ( TSRA ) with the assistance of SC Lennon & Associates in 2015 and officially launched in 2016 . Recognising the Torres Strait Region ’ s many challenges , the REIS defines an approach to business assistance that is informed , strategic and targeted in nature . It identifies sustainable industries which - in light of the many challenges and constraints on the region ’ s economic growth - provide the greatest potential to establish and grow commercially-viable businesses throughout the Torres Strait .
A key recommendation of the REIS was that the Torres Strait Regional Authority ( TSRA ) pro-actively focus its business assistance services on opportunities for commercially-viable business development within three ‘ focal ’ industries , being :
1 . Fishing ;
2 . Tourism ; and
3 . Cultural Arts and Creative Industries .
Figure 1 . ‘ Focal ’ Industries for TSRA Business Assistance
Source : SC Lennon & Associates and Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries & Innovation ( 2013 )
The design and rollout of a new business support product , the Torres Strait Business Growth Package , was a direct outcome of that key recommendation . Recognising the embedded nature of art , culture and creativity throughout the communities of the Torres Strait Region , interest in the Business Growth Package from both established and emerging local artists and creatives has been particularly strong .
DEFINING THE ARTS AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES Because the arts and creative industries are eclectic in nature , for the sake of policy design , strategic planning and program implementation , it is important to understand the differences , as well as the commonalities , between art and culture and creative industries .
‘ Culture ’ can be defined as the sum of attitudes , customs and beliefs that distinguishes one group of people from another . Culture is transmitted from one generation to the next , or from one group of people to others , through language , material objects , rituals , institutions and art .
These ‘ cultural production ’ activities , if transformed into commercial outcomes also form part of what is known as the creative industries . This refers to a broad grouping of individuals and organisations ( businesses ) that turn original creativity into commercial outcomes . Highly dependent on creative talent , creative industries can be distinguished from other industries by the fact that ‘ creativity ’ is their primary source of value . They include six broad segments or types of creative individuals and businesses , being :
1 . Music , Visual and Performing Arts ( e . g . musicians , singers , dancers , actors , jewellery-makers , weavers , sculptors );
2 . Film , TV and Radio ( e . g . video producers , radio presenters );
3 . Writing & Publishing ( e . g . creative writers , journalists );
4 . Software and Digital Content ( e . g . computer animators , software designers , video game designers );
Source : SC Lennon & Associates and Torres Strait Regional Authority
‘ Art ’, which is a form of ‘ cultural production ’ includes , for example , music , singing , dance , visual arts and other performing arts like acting , as well as writing and film-making . These artistic endeavours are often non-commercial or not-for-profit in nature and their value is recognised in the contribution they make to individual and community wellbeing through artistic expression and enjoyment .
5 . Advertising and Marketing ( e . g . marketing and advertising specialists , copywriters , public relations specialists );
6 . Architecture and Design ( e . g . architects , landscape architects , graphic designers , web designers , photographers , illustrators , fashion designers , interior designers ).
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