Prime Minister to launch creative network tool

“The Big Idea is a great idea”

Prime Minister to launch creative industries networking tool

Prime Minister Helen Clark will launch The Big Idea /Te Ariâ Nui( http://www.thebigidea.co.nz), a networking tool and online community for New Zealand arts and creative industries, in Auckland on 27 September.

Designed to expand work opportunities and career development, The Big Idea has received 300,000 visits during its nine-month site testing phase with more than 1200 creative industry workers and organisations signing up as subscribers.

“The Big Idea is a great idea,” Miss Clark says. “This Government has identified the creative industries as a key area of growth for the New Zealand economy of the future. The success of the creative industries will depend on projects such as this, which use new technologies to connect creative industry workers with new opportunities, new markets and new information.”

The Big Idea provides its growing list of subscribers with access to a range of work opportunity and career development tools. Each subscriber has a personal showcase area where he or she can post a CV and upload examples of creative work.

Arts organisations, the business sector and creative industry enterprises use the site to employ creative practitioners, promote creative projects and seek new ideas.

Peter Biggs, Chair of Creative New Zealand and Managing Director of the advertising agency Clemenger BBDO, says The Big Idea should be a first port of call when businesses and industry are looking for fresh, creative ideas and people.

“This is a powerful, free resource for people working in the creative industries,” he says. “A real strength of The Big Idea is the way it connects artists, employers and potential partners throughout New Zealand and enables them to exchange information and do business.

“I’ve been delighted to see the success of the project during its testing phase and look forward to being involved in its ongoing development.”

The Big Idea also offers a range of information, including professional development advice; up-to-date details on exhibitions, festivals, theatres, concerts and other events; local and international news; and an interactive arts forum.

Auckland sculptor Caroline Robinson is a member of The Big Idea’s creative team and is regular user of the site.

“The Big Idea is a bold and timely project,” Robinson says. “It celebrates New Zealand’s blazing creative expertise while offering a key business networking tool. What continually impresses me is the diversity and range of opportunities the site offers. It’s part of my daily routine and becoming an essential part of my business.”

New Zealand’s creative industries represent more than 3 per cent of New Zealand’s total GDP, and New Zealanders spend in excess of $7 billion each year on creative industry products.

The Big Idea has been developed by the Arts Work Project, which was initiated by Creative New Zealand in 1999 in partnership with Artists Alliance, Auckland City Council, Auckland New Ventures Inc. and Work and Income – Auckland Central.

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