Province of BC Proclaims Creative Industries Week – April 25-May 2, 2016

For Immediate Release

April 26, 2016

NEWS RELEASE
B.C. celebrates Creative Industries Week

VICTORIA – This week British Columbia is celebrating the multiple sectors that make up B.C.'s vibrant and flourishing creative industry, including film, television, interactive media, music, magazine and book publishing.

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training was joined today by creative industry stakeholders to officially declare April 25 to May 2, 2016, "Creative Industry Week". This year's theme is Celebrating Award Winning Success, a fitting tribute to the many talented British Columbians nominated for Oscars, Grammies and Juno awards over the past year.

The declaration at the Legislature featured a performance by Vancouver-based Juno award winning musician, Dan Mangan as well as interactive displays showcasing the many jobs it takes to make award winning television, publishing, music and video games happen.

Other events during Creative Industries Week include the announcement of the winners of this year's 32nd annual BC Book Prizes on Saturday, April 30, at Government House in Victoria and "Behind the Soundtrack", a day long music seminar sponsored by Vancouver Post Alliance to support the post production industry in the movie sector.

The creative industry is a major contributor to the Province's economy and job creation, responsible for more than 85,000 quality jobs. The industry is also one of the most rapidly growing sectors of the global economy, and is a major generator of investment and export earnings, while supporting vibrant communities.

The Province will continue to support B.C.'s creative industry through BC Creates, a communications initiative started in 2015 to celebrate and create awareness of British Columbia's growing creative industries. As well, Creative BC, a not-for-profit agency, was created in 2013 by the Province of BC to support and promote B.C.'s dynamic creative sector at home and in the global marketplace.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training

"B.C. has become a hub for creation and innovation and we are truly proud of the talented workforce B.C's creative industries generates. B.C's music, film, television, digital entertainment and publishing industries are critical sectors in our diverse, strong and growing economy."

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development

"Arts, culture and the creative industries are at the heart of the creative economy, one of the most rapidly growing sectors in the world. People working in the creative sector help to drive the BC Jobs Plan by attracting new investment, fostering innovation and creating new jobs for British Columbians."

Prem Gill, CEO Creative BC

"British Columbia has become a world leader in creative content production across film and television, music, digital and interactive media, and magazine and book publishing. Creative Industries Week demonstrates the broad depth and range of creative and technical talent that exists in our province."

Liz Shorten, BC Creates and CMPA-BC

"BC Creates is a collaborative communications initiative established to celebrate and tell the story of British Columbia's vibrant creative industries. We are excited to participate in Creative Industries Week to further showcase the economic and creative contribution of our sector."

Learn More:

BC Book Prizes finalists list: www.bcbookprizes.ca/winners/2016

BC Creates: www.bccreates.com

Creative BC: www.creativebc.com

Creative Economy Strategy: www.gov.bc.ca/creativeeconomy

Creative Industries Info-Graphic: news.gov.bc.ca/files/Creative_Industries_Factsheet.pdf

Media Contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect