The Creative Industries Division promotes the development and growth of Hawaii's Creative Economy, who's primary and core sector consists of Copyright Based Industries, with a focus on businesses that create/design exportable products and services and depend on the protection of their Intellectual Property in order to market to a global community. IP protection is a crucial base to profitability and survival. These are the core businesses that contribute to our economy with job creation and tax revenue.

This cluster is comprised of producers and service providers in film, video and digital media production, commercial and applied design firms and diverse range of creative (visual and performing) and cultural businesses in Hawaii. Surrounding this core sector are a great variety of arts and cultural organizations, service organizations, educational institutions, foundations, community groups and a variety of individual artisans.

By supporting and implementing economic development programs, projects, and activities the objective is to establish:

1. Internationally recognized and self-sustaining industries;
2. A creative economy that is a vibrant and sustainable sector of Hawaii's economy; and
3. The development and expansion of domestic and foreign markets for Hawaii's products.

Creative Economy Sectors

• Film & Digital Media (television, film production, digital media, interactive media, game production, radio)
• Applied Arts (graphic design, architecture, industrial design, crafts, advertising, interior design, photography, culinary arts, Web design)
• Performing Arts (music, theater, dance)
• Visual Arts (painting, sculpture, galleries, auction houses)
• Literary Arts (writing, publishing)
• Heritage and preservation (museums, historic sites, heritage districts)
• Advocacy and Support (cultural councils, funders)
• Ethnic Cultural Activities (festivals, parades, cultural exchange)
• Arts Education

Two Program Areas

• Arts & Culture Development Branch
• Film Industry Branch