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Creative Industries

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Innovative craft projects have flourished in Shetland.

Shetland has always been a creative community. Archaeological sites have produced evidence of stone carving, metalwork and jewellery and we know that our forebears were very active weavers. The islands have a particularly strong textile heritage, having lent a name to a particular sort of fine knitwear. Fair Isle, 25 miles (40km) to the south of the Shetland mainland, has its own very special tradition and patterns. Music has for long been at the heart of Shetland life. However, today’s Shetland has a creative economy that includes:

  • Architecture
  • Crafts
  • Film and Digital Media
  • Graphic design, including web design
  • Marketing
  • Music
  • Performing arts and entertainments
  • Software (including educational and games)
  • Television, radio and internet broadcasting
  • Textiles
  • Visual Arts
  • Writing and Publishing

All of these are based on individual creativity, skill and talent which in turn are stimulated by an outstanding environment and a remarkable heritage. They generate wealth, jobs and intellectual property. All of them are represented in Shetland and many firms and individuals run successful businesses, often making extensive use of broadband internet to do business with customers worldwide. Work is under way in Shetland to strengthen this already vibrant sector, which we see as having lots of potential for future growth.

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