Creatives call for better infrastructure

GUERNSEY needs to up its game in infrastructure and education if creative industries are to thrive as part of the local economy.

A panel discussion on the 'Learning' element of Learn Create Produce agreed that the sector has potential for the island, but opportunities need to be seized to make things happen.

Jay Aylmer, director of Creative Industries Guernsey, said that there was no reason why a small island community would not be positive for creativity.

'I don't think it's negative,' he said.

'We convince businesses to come to Guernsey for the beautiful environment to live in and the ability to be incredibly creative.

'You have the opportunity to collaborate worldwide and in the last few years Guernsey has changed and the community has developed a much more collaborative attitude.'

Mr Aylmer, pictured, said that there was once no real career pathway for creatives. That had changed in recent years, particularly with the advent of technology.

'Technology has made such a difference. People can be creative within work – the webspace world allows you to be creative without being an artist,' he said.

'We also need to recognise that creativity can come in so many different forms – creative people become lawyers and so on and go down different paths.'