Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has issued the following statement in celebration of Creative Industries Week, April 29 to May 6, 2019:

“Creative Industries Week is a celebration of the incredibly talented people who work in film and television, music and sound recording, magazine and book publishing, and interactive and digital media. Their originality, innovation and imagination inspire us here at home and across the globe.

“The strength of our creative industry is directly tied to the remarkable professionalism and ingenuity of the people who work in this sector. Creative industries contribute an estimated $6.4 billion to the provincial economy and support more than 90,000 jobs. In film and television alone, we estimate 13,000 job openings by 2027 in this thriving industry. This economic impact will be felt in communities large and small, and means sustainable careers will be available for people with diverse skillsets and educational backgrounds.

“British Columbia is a dynamic and growing music production centre in Canada. With more than 200 music festivals, both locals and visitors have the opportunity to enjoy live music at incredible venues throughout the year. Our government’s recent renewal of $7.5 million to Amplify BC means concert lovers, festival goers and music enthusiasts will be able to enjoy more homegrown talent, while artists hone their skills and music developers create new projects.

“As part of Creative Industries Week, we are celebrating B.C. Book Day on April 30 to highlight the significant contribution to B.C.’s cultural landscape and economy by people who work in the book publishing industry. The B.C. book publishing industry provides a platform for British Columbian perspectives, as B.C. books are sold and translated in over 40 countries, bringing our voices to millions of readers at home and around the world.

“The people at the heart of our province’s interactive and digital media sector create technology that simultaneously entertains, engages and educates us. They are at the forefront of global advances in gaming and app development, and augmented and virtual reality, making B.C. a growing hub for digital media production. In interactive gaming and app development alone, almost 6,000 people work for 1,300 companies.

“B.C.’s creative industries are home to people who share their passions, express diverse perspectives, enrich our cultural landscape and showcase B.C. on the global stage. On behalf of the Province, thank you to all those in our creative industries for your work and for sharing your talents with us.”