The Creative Industries is an innovative and fast growing economic sector worldwide. According to Statistics Canada this sector contributed $23.8B to Ontario’s economy in 2010. Unlike many other economic sectors, it is not solely reliant on built infrastructure. Rather, this sector thrives where the people and interest are present to support it.
Sarnia-Lambton has both of these elements in abundance.
What are the Creative Industries?
The Creative Economy in Sarnia-Lambton is defined as:
- Arts and Culture (art, crafts, books, film, music, performance, video games)
- Heritage (natural and cultural)
- Design (architecture, design, fashion, toys/games)
- Media (ad agencies, magazines, newspapers, radio, tv)
- Innovation (R&D, software, dotcoms)
Sarnia-Lambton Creative Industries Advantages
- Strong digital infrastructure features fibre connections and high speed
- Very reasonable cost of buildings means you can buy a commercial building and a house for less than the price of a house in larger centres
- One hour to Detroit and 3 hours by car to Toronto means easy access to client base
Creative Entrepreneur Support
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, through SLEP’s Business Enterprise Centre will work with individuals or companies in Sarnia-Lambton, at no cost, to help produce:
- Shared spaces feasibility studies
- Business plans
- Marketing analysis
- Business registration
SLEP’s Entrepreneur’s Library contains hundreds of links, with a wide variety of information from business planning to grants for creative businesses.
Additional Local Links
- The Judith and Norman Alix Art Gallery, located in downtown Sarnia, serves as a hub and catalyst for art in the Sarnia-Lambton area.
- In July of 2011, the County of Lambton published its cultural plan entitled “Building a Creative Economy”.
- The Creative County Fund supports local creative events and projects with annual disbursements.
- The Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia provides a focal point for the creative community in the Petrolia area.
- The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts offers adult and childrens’ programs
- Gallery in the Grove hangs rotating shows featuring local artists
Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CreativeSarniaLambton/
Visit us on the web:
If you are a member of the creative sector and would like to learn more, please contact: