Department for Culture Media and Sport

creative industries

DCMS helps the creative industries thrive by raising their profile and supporting their development. Our vision is that the UK becomes the world’s creative hub.

The definition of the creative industries
The creative industries are those industries that are based on individual creativity, skill and talent. They are also those that have the potential to create wealth and jobs through developing intellectual property. 


The creative industries include:

  • Advertising
  • Film and video
  • Architecture 
  • Music
  • Art and antiques markets
  • Performing arts
  • Computer and video games
  • Publishing
  • Crafts
  • Software
  • Design
  • Television and radio
  • Designer fashion
  


Responsibility across Government
DCMS has lead responsibility in Government for Architecture, the Arts & Antiques Markets, Crafts, Designer Fashion, Film & Video, Music, Performing Arts and Television & Radio.

We share responsibility with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) for Advertising, Computer & Video Games, Design and Publishing.

BERR is responsible for Software.

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Our work includes:

Creative Economy Programme
The Creative Economy Programme is the first step in the DCMS goal to make the UK the world's creative hub. Visit the Creative Economy Programme website for the latest information on the Programme's work.

Exports
Exporting goods and services to overseas markets is something many creative businesses are interested in. How DCMS is promoting creative exports

Education and skills
There are a number of government initiatives and funding schemes that support skills development and training in the creative industries. Find out about training opportunities that may be available to you.

Regional Support
Regional organisations often deal with issues that have been identified as of most concern to creative companies, including access to finance.  Find out more about what support is available in your region.

Access to Business Support & Funding 
The UK's creativity is envied worldwide and the Government is determined to provide opportunities for our creative talent to thrive.

DCMS works across government and with other organisations to ensure that the creative industries have all the support they need to succeed

Support across government
DCMS champions the cause of the creative industries across government and monitors policy that can affect creative businesses, such as tax and regulations or intellectual property rights.

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What's New

Latest Creative Industries Economic Estimates have been published  [23 October 2007]

DCMS has published The feasibility of a live music economic impact study [26 September 2007]

The Live Music Forum has published it findings and recommendations to DCMS. [4 July 2007]

 

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Websites of interest

Related information

Estimated total revenue from the sale of UK TV programmes internationally was £632 million in 2005, an increase of 21% on 2004.

According to Ofcom, the UK is second only to China in its enthusiasm for online video. 77% of UK 18-24 year-old broadband users watch music videos online and 60% watch TV programmes via their broadband connections.

In 2004, creative industries' exports totalled £13 billion – 4.3% of all goods and services exported.

UK films took 34% of the UK box office in 2005, compared to 23% in 2004.
 
UK households spend, on average, £59 each week on recreation and culture – more than on any other commodities and services except Transport (£60 per week).
 
The UK saw 165 million cinema admissions in 2005, averaging almost three visits by every person in the country.
 
Cinema admissions have increased by 43% in 10 years.
 
37% of UK households had a broadband connection by October 2005, a rise from 8% in April 2003.

In June 2002, creative  employment totalled 1.9 million jobs.
 
In 2002, there were around 122,000 companies in the Creative Industry sectors on the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR).