Creative industries in Northern Ireland

Challenges and opportunities in Northern Ireland creative sector

Guide

The creative sector is one of the fastest-growing parts of the UK economy. As such, it offers great opportunities to Northern Ireland businesses, particularly in areas of film, TV, games and digital markets.

Opportunities for the creative businesses

Creative industries in Northern Ireland have great potential to create jobs and exports, attract investment, drive innovation, entertain audiences and boost tourism. They are backed by the Department for Communities as well as several development agencies that offer a range of grant and support programmes, including help with skills and training development, to new and existing businesses.

Read about the support and funding for creative businesses in Northern Ireland.

Challenges for the creative businesses

Like other creative businesses across the world, global competition may affect the prospects of creative companies in Northern Ireland. From film production to design, new international centres for creative businesses are developing rapidly across the globe, making it harder for small local businesses to enter new and emerging markets.

In addition, the lack of scale of most creative businesses in Northern Ireland means that the sector comprises mostly small or micro-enterprises, and sole traders. This minimises opportunities for attracting inward investments, building supply chains and boosting employment.

Access to finance, particularly affecting micro-businesses and SMEs, may also prove difficult, as can protection and monetisation of intellectual property that has been developed through creative expressions. There may also be some specialist skills and knowledge gaps, although Northern Ireland universities, further and Higher Education colleges and Northern Ireland Skillset Media Academy are ensuring a steady supply of skilled, work-ready recruits.