In a special feature this month, Business Eye looks at how local designer-makers have been signed up by major film companies to make everything from costumes, jewellery, film sets to weird and wonderful props.

This explosion of creativity and skill has been made possible by public funding of the arts including schemes such as the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Creative Industries Innovation Fund.
Ring-maker Garvan Traynor, who has benefited from public funding, said that his success in working in film would not have been possible without this vital support.

Late last year, Garvan and other representatives of the creative industries were invited by the Arts Council to meet Finance Minister Sammy Wilson to discuss how public funding of the arts makes a real difference to the local economy.

Garvan said the Minister was very receptive to their arguments and was particularly impressed by the amount of local talent that was being used in big budget productions such as City of Ember and the soon-to-be-released Your Highness.

“We are very much a skills-based people. It is ironic that all of this work is coming back to the Titanic Quarter, where everything was made here in Belfast for the giant ocean liners. All of that workmanship has been waiting to re-emerge.  It is a re-awakening of our heritage,” he added.

Joe Kelly, Director of Craft Northern Ireland, which champions the needs of the craft industry, argues that retaining the level of funding is essential to providing business support for up and coming designer makers.

“If the crafts industry in Northern Ireland is to continue to thrive we must develop the skills and talents of our emerging designer makers. They make a real contribution the Northern Ireland economy through cultural tourism, creating new businesses and supporting the local film industry. ‘Public funding is necessary if we want to continue to support the development of these industries.’

The Department of Culture Arts and Leisure faces a cut of £25.9 million in its budget this year, which is expected to lead to substantial reductions in the level of support given to the creative industries sector. The Arts sector alone is facing a cut of £4.2m, which equates to 23% of its annual budget and is expected to impact directly on artists and art organisations.

In its Fair Deal for the Arts Campaign, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland has been strongly arguing the case for a vibrant creative industries and arts scene that supports the film industry, creates jobs and promotes the growing cultural tourism sector.

It is urging the public to support the campaign by going to its Facebook page and sending the Fair Deal for the Arts Campaign letter to the Northern Ireland Executive.

Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: “Without the contribution of a vibrant arts scene and the creative industries, major film producers would not be able to work in Northern Ireland. Public funding of the arts is not a hand-out it is a real investment in our economy.” Download Full Article

URL: http://craftni.org/images/uploads/Creative_Industries_Skills_Heritage.pdf