Economies around the world are facing challenges that trigger the development of Creative Industries. As we are witnessing the disappearance of traditional occupations from the global economy, but we are also seeing that some are being replaced by creative communities that are focused on innovation, critical thinking and creative problem solving - skills that have become fundamental in todays’ jobs market.

The ACT innovation center at Shenkar is starting a program to develop entrepreneurship and leadership in the Israeli industry. This will be achieved thanks to a unique grant that was given to ACT Shenkar by the European Union. The Erasmus+ program has awarded 1.6 million euro - the highest amount given to any Israeli academic institute in this project - for promoting a creative industry in educational, economic and political aspects. The project, with the cooperation of the ministry of economics, is set to begin at the end of November 2015, and will run for three years.

"In a world where innovation and entrepreneurship are an essential part of the business environment, young entrepreneurs and creative ideas are a significant catalyst for economic growth", said Prof. Yuli Tamir, president of Shenkar College.

"We were chosen to lead, together with the ministry of economics and a number of creative innovation initiatives, a process of applicative research that will lead to the creation of new jobs for Shenkar students and others.", added Prof. Tamir.

Creative Industries are industries that originate from creativity, skills, and talent, and help develop new job opportunities and business prosperity through the use of intellectual property. Design, architecture, fashion, film, theatre, advertisement and new media, gastronomy, content, software, apps and computer games, and music and some of these industries. They are considered extremely dynamic and in today’s modern economy, these industries are the ones who experience substantial growth. In Europe, the creative industries are considered to be the one of the most developing sectors and account for 6.8% of the economy and 6.5% of employment.  

The project that is led by the innovation center ACT Shenkar will promote the following objectives:

• Developing academic and lifelong learning programs for the next generation of entrepreneurs in Israel. 
• Raising awareness and promoting new policies to support the sector in the Israeli Knesset and government offices.
• Forming and shaping a new generation of leaders and creating entrepreneurs that will peruse key positions in our society.
• Creating innovation and employment opportunities for students and graduates of the creative industries. 

The program will feature leading institutions and businesses from Israel and around the world including: the ministry of economics, venture capital firm JVP, LAHAV organization, College of Management Academic Studies, Hadassah Academic College, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Sapir Academic College, Danish Center for Culture and Development, University of Brighton, Estonian Business School, THNK School of Creative Leadership, and Iceland Academy of the Arts.

In-house conventions, workshops and international events are all part of the program that will also include European training sessions for faculty member and student. For example, a group of entrepreneurs will represent Israel in the Creative Business Cup competition in Denmark, an event that hosts representatives from over 50 countries.