If you live in Auckland and work in the creative sector, you're in luck: Auckland City Council thinks you're the way of the future, and is committed to supporting you over the next ten years.

If you live in Auckland and work in the creative sector, you're in luck: Auckland City Council thinks you're the way of the future, and is committed to supporting you over the next ten years. An 'agenda for action', Blueprint: Growing Auckland's creative industries is the council's response to research that highlighted the city's economic strength in the creative industries.

Design; publishing; music; screen production and radio; performing arts; visual arts, crafts and photography will all be actively supported by the council, with the aim of achieving greater national and international success in these areas. The council's three interconnected goals - 'raise profile', 'support enterprise' and 'create environment' - will be implemented over the next ten years. A significant employer and revenue generator, the creative sector is recognised worldwide as an important part of the knowledge economy.

In Auckland, employment in this sector is increasing at nearly three times the national creative sector employment growth rate. Blueprint aims to build on this, establishing Auckland over time as the leading hub of New Zealand's creative industries. The action plan and creative industries research document Snapshot were recognised at the Creative Places Awards 2007, with Auckland City Council winning the award for Arts Provision: City and Regional Councils.

Blueprint states that they'll know it's worked when "Auckland's creative industries employ many thousands more talented workers and generate substantial export returns". So ditch those dreams of becoming an accountant - Auckland's creative industries need you. Visit the Auckland City Council's website to find out more. 23/7/07