Creative/Cultural

Skygate Videography Inc.

Slemon Park

Putting the Creative/Cultural sector in the spotlight

The Creative / Cultural sector includes visual and performing arts, music, media, writing, heritage and more, which are collectively known as the creative industries.

PEI Cultural Human Resources Sector Council (CreativePEI) is the umbrella organization for the creative industries. It empowers Prince Edward Island’s arts, culture and creative professionals to improve their outcomes and incomes.

**Mark Sandiford, Executive Director, Creative PEI, left, with comedian Patrick Ledwell at the Dotgain Creativity Conference 2019 at Holland College.**

Creative PEI works on behalf of 11 industries on PEI:

Contemporary Art
Craft & Design
Dance
Film
Libraries
Museums & Heritage
Music & Sound Recording
Theatre
Videogames
Writing & Publishing
Photography

According to Statistics Canada for PEI, 2,500 people work in information, culture and recreation in 2021.

Mark Sandiford, Executive Director, PEI Cultural Human Resources Sector Council (CreativePEI) provided the following information about the economic state of the Creative Sector on PEI:

1. Crafts and Design – “2020 was a very rough year for craftspeople with the almost complete shutdown of tourism. Local markets filled some of that gap as did a shift to online sales. 2021 was better as tourism picked up. Design continues to grow with a steady stream of excellent new designers graduating from Holland College.”

2. Live Performing Arts – “This industry was really hit hard by COVID. Most people in this sector are looking at 2022 before things are anywhere near back to normal.”

3. Film, TV and Media Arts Production – “This industry has been quite busy right through the pandemic due to very strict on-set safety protocols. With the announcement of expanded provincial film production support programs, PEI is looking at a period of rapid growth over the next few years.”

4. Interactive Media – “This industry was relatively unaffected by COVID. Employees worked from home with no drop in productivity. Worldwide markets for videogames continue to do well.”

5. Visual Arts – “Artists have been relatively unaffected through COVID since many work from home. The PEI Arts Grants and the Canada Council for the Arts have continued to support artists through this period. Opportunities will only increase as things open up.”

6. Music and Sound Recording – “The bright spot has been local venues that have booked PEI musicians and attracted good audiences.”

7. Museums, Archives, Libraries, & Heritage – “Many museums and libraries are open again but visitor numbers are down.”

8. Writing and Publishing – “This industry was relatively unaffected by COVID since most writers work from home and the market and funding opportunities for writing are relatively unchanged.”