Survey launched to measure creative sector

Umbrella associations such as Jamaica Film and Television Association (JAFTA) and Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) are encouraged to get their members to participate in a study seeking to measure the economic impact of the creative and cultural industries.

The surveys are being done in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

"We're looking to understand the impact of the creative and cultural industries on our GDP, our employment, on the social sector and the specific value, which we don't know for sure," said Harold Davis, deputy CEO at the Jamaica Business Development Corporation.

"We're looking to find out how many persons are engaged or employed, whether on a part-time basis or full-time basis," Davis added.

Titled The Creative Voices Survey, the study, which was launched on March 20, is slated to run for two months. Davis said that the results of the survey will help creatives market themselves both locally and internationally.

"You'll now be in a stronger position to negotiate for resources, partnership, marketing opportunities, both locally and internationally - locally, with your financial institutions, with other institutions and with investors. Externally, when you're going into a market and you're looking to establish partnership relationships, you will have a clear value that you can articulate, of your potential contribution," Davis said.