The MTNS MADE Creative Industries Cluster was formed in 2013, in response to industry demand for a collaborative approach to economic development in this key sector.

About The Creative Industries

The creative industries are defined as ”those sectors which specialise in the use of creative talent for commercial purposes” (NESTA, 2013). The creative industries include but are not limited to:

  • Advertising
  • Built Environment
  • Design (including fashion, industrial and graphic design)
  • Visual Arts
  • Music
  • Performing Arts
  • Publishing
  • Screen (television, film, electronic games and interactive entertainment)
  • Radio
  • Creative makers (handicraft, jewellery, furniture, ceramics, design pieces, etc)
  • Artisanal food and beverage products

Why are the Creative Industries important?

As is shown in this Creative Industries Industry Profile, the Blue Mountains is a creative hotspot and the creative industries are a critical sector for the Blue Mountains economy:

  • 8% of the locally available jobs are in the creative industries, and this is one of the only wealth-generating sectors in the region
  • 7.6% of the resident workforce population is employed in this industry, compared with 4.7% across NSW and 3.5% nationally
  • The creative industries is the third-greatest contributor to the Blue Mountains Gross Regional Product ($152 million, with total output estimated at $592 million)
  • The creative industries is in the top 5 employing sectors in the Blue Mountains.

MTNS MADE

MTNS MADE is the cultural identity for the creative industries in the Blue Mountains.

It was commissioned in 2015 by Blue Mountains Economic Enterprises (BMEE) in partnership with Blue Mountains City Council to provide a collaborative approach to marketing for local creatives and to help position the region as a hub of creative excellence.

Today the MTNS MADE website boasts more than 500 local creative professionals, including world class artists, designers, film-makers, musicians and makers who use the platform to market their talent to national and global audiences.

New appointment 

In 2020 a decision was made to bring the activities of Blue Mountains Economic Enterprises (BMEE) under the management of Council. This decision was made to provide new opportunities for collaboration across Council to best serve our business community, and maximise resources as Council seeks to play a stronger role in facilitating economic and tourism development within the City, following the 2019/2020 bushfires and COVID-19 pandemic.

Following this, in early 2021 Council appointed local creative professional, Nicole Law, to the newly created role of Creative Industries Project Officer. 

With a background in graphic design, product design, education and visual arts, Nicole brings a breadth of experience to her role which will see her reinvigorate the MTNS MADE campaign as well as collaborate with the Blue Mountains Creative Industries to create opportunities for future development and growth within the sector. 

Nicole will work within Council’s Economic Development Team led by Economic Development Program Leader Tessa Hockly and alongside BMEE’s former Creative Industries Cluster Manager, Ann Niddrie, who in her role as Project Officer for Economic Development is assisting with transitioning BMEE projects into a BMCC in-house program. 

MTNS MADE Resources