Mapping the Cultural and Creative Industries in Jamaica

Mapping the Cultural and Creative Industries in Jamaica Project Name: Developing Situation Analysis (mapping) of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) in Jamaica and review and update of Existing Strategies and Action Plans for the development of Creative and Cultural Industries in Jamaica

BACKGROUND

The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) has taken actions that demonstrate its recognition of the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) and their potential to create wealth and grow the economy. Examples of these actions include the development of a ‘Creative Industry Strategic Plan’ and the inclusion of the Creative Industry as one of the strategic goals in the revised MSME & Entrepreneurship Policy. Other examples include: (i) the development of the Centre for Innovation and Digital Content; (ii) the establishment of the National Cultural and Creative Industries Commission in 2014; the establishment of the Culture and Creative Industries Policy Division in the Ministry of Youth and Culture as well as (iii) broad-based stakeholder consultations for the development of national policy for the sector. There are also plans for further development of the creative industries as revealed in the Medium Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework 2015 - 2018 to include but not limited to: (i) the development of a master plan for the Creative Economy; and (ii) the completion of the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) Business Plan” (p207).

Despite the aforementioned, there is a dearth of data on the Cultural and Creative Industries which has stymied proper planning and policy formation. Information on the number of individuals employed in the CCI, their contribution to the wider economy and the specific resource needs are not readily available. Where the data is available, the quality of the information is in question. For example, conservative estimate shows that the CCI contributed approximately 2% in Gross Value Added to the country’s GDP in 2017. However, a study commissioned by WIPO in 2007 found that the copyright related activities (a sub-set of the Creative Industries) contributed 4.8% of GDP (JIPO, 2019).

Many countries across the globe have implemented a Creative Industries mapping exercise resulting in significant transformation of their respective Creative Economies.

Some have acquired the capability of tracking their Creative Industries’ value on a daily basis (e.g. UK: value - >£100bn, >5% GVA, growing faster than the overall economy).

Others, like Mexico (where the mapping process is near completion) are able, with a high degree of clarity to define the parameters of the industries, identify competitive advantages, potential appropriate investment instruments among other areas to accelerate the growth therein. A scan of the existing data sources and consultation with the National Statistical Office of Jamaica (STATIN) revealed that Jamaica has never conducted a mapping of its Creative Industries.

The lack of complete, accurate and relevant data on the CCI represents one of the biggest obstacles to the growth and development of the sector as alluded to by various reports (including the Fleming 2016 ). This deficit has compromised proper planning, policy formulation and implementation of strategies and interventions geared at assisting the sector.

In response to the aforementioned, the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) is embarking on an initiative to lead the Mapping of the Cultural and Creative Industries in Jamaica. The ultimate objective of a mapping exercise is to glean empirical data on the CCI in existence in Jamaica. This data will, among other benefits provide a path to accurate valuation of the Industries’ contribution to the Jamaican economy, highlight areas/industries with heightened competitive advantage (based on various factors including value chain maturity and potential) and ultimately provide input towards relevant developmental strategies accordingly. Recommendations for specific data mining strategies and mechanisms will be a critical output of this initiative.

1.

Economic and Social Survey Jamaica (2014). Planning Institute of Jamaica

2.

Tom Fleming (2016). A Business Plan for Jamaican Cultural and Creative Industries

To this end, the JBDC in collaboration with the British Council will implement a “Situation Analysis (mapping) of Cultural and Creative Industries in Jamaica and review and update of existing Strategies and Action Plans for the development of Creative and Cultural Industries in Jamaica” as the first step towards a comprehensive mapping exercise.

Tools of Trade and Equipment

Sport/Sport Industry

Culinary/Gastronomy

Fashion/Fashion Industry

Performing Arts, Theatre

Audio-Visual, Film, Video, Media Arts, Animation, Broadcasting, Advertising

Art, Craft, Antiques, Fine Arts

Architecture, Design

Music, Entertainment Industry, Publishing, Literary

The study will adopt the National Cultural and Creative Industries Council’s (NCCIC) categorization of the Creative Industries to include the following:

Objectives of the Study

Situation Analysis (mapping) for the development of Cultural and Creative Industries in Jamaica. This will comprise main findings and recommendations of this research to include: • A definition of the creative economy in terms of its substantive element, ecosystem, number of individuals employed, number of enterprises, value of goods and services, revenue potential and dispersion • A guide for how the needs of MSMEs within the industries, investments readiness of MSMEs and available investment opportunities can be further researched • A guide for how the policy imperatives and direction concerning the creative economy can be further researched • A calculation of the percentage contribution of creative industries to the wider economy statistics on businesses in the CCIs to include: data on the number of business per CCI, how long these businesses have been trading for and if they are currently working internationally • The main challenges and opportunities for businesses in the CCIs • Recommendations of next steps for the Jamaica Business Development Corporation on how to support the development of the cultural and creative industries in Jamaica

PARTICIPATORY AND BROAD-BASED APPROACH The mapping exercise will require broad-based participation and collaboration involving public and private sector interest. The work will require the consultant to engage the following entities to obtain datasets, reports and other documents in order to conduct the necessary analysis in order to satisfy the research objectives. This will result in consultations to include but not limited to the following ministries and agencies during the data collection exercise in order to gather comprehensive and accurate statistics on the sector:

METHODOLOGY

The execution of the assignment will be outsourced to a qualified firm.

An Invitation to Tender (ITT) document was developed and has already been released by the British Council to vendors. The selected vendor will be required to complete the assignment by applying the following methods and tools:

BENEFITS AND OUTCOMES

The execution of the mapping exercise is an opportunity to improve the quality of available data needed for proper planning, monitoring and evaluation of the CCI. This initiative will also bolster the partnerships and coordination of public and private stakeholders who have a vested interest in the CCI. The exercise will also result in the following: 1. Identification of the “drivers” based on key economic, social and cultural indicators, i.e. industries that have the potential to and/or are currently propel the sector 2. Recommendations for the design and implementation of an industrial strategy for the “drivers” using current documented industrial strategy as a baseline

Contact: Jamaica Business Development Corporation 14 Camp Road, Kingston 4 Telephone: 928-5161-5 • Email: communications@jbdc.net • Website: www.jbdc.net