CHAPTER
1
Concept and context of the creative economy
1
Fundamental to an understanding of the creative economy — what it comprises and how it functions in the economies of both developed and developing countries — are the concepts of “cultural industries” and “creative industries”. Much debate surrounds these terms. This chapter provides an overview of the development of the concepts of “creativity” throughout this decade leading to what became known as the “creative economy”. Our intention is not to reach a final consensus about concepts, but to understand its evolution. It also considers the emergence of the associated concepts of “creative class”, “creative cities”, “creative clusters”, as well as the most recent innovative notions relating to the “experience economy” “creative commons” and “creative ecology”. The major drivers of the growth of the creative economy and its multiple dimensions are examined in the light of recent developments including the world economic crisis. This chapter also provides evidence on the economic contribution of the creative industries to the economies of various advanced countries.
■
scientific creativity involves curiosity and a willingness to experiment and make new connections in problemsolving; and
■
economic creativity is a dynamic process leading towards innovation in technology, business practices, marketing, etc., and is closely linked to gaining competitive advantages in the economy.
All of the above involve technological creativity to greater or lesser extent and are interrelated, as shown in figure 1.1. Regardless of the way in which creativity is interpreted, there is no doubt that, by definition, it is a key element in defining the scope of the creative industries and the creative economy. Another approach is to consider creativity as a measurable social process. From the economic point of view, however, a relationship between creativity and socioeconomic development is not apparent, particularly the
Figure 1.1
1.1.1
Creativity in today’s economy
Creativity
There is no simple definition of “creativity” that encompasses all the various dimensions of this phenomenon. Indeed, in the field of psychology, where individual creativity has been most widely studied, there is no agreement as to whether creativity is an attribute of people or a process by which original ideas are generated. Nevertheless, the characteristics of creativity in different areas of human endeavour can at least be articulated. For example, it can be suggested that: ■
Concept and context of the creative economy
1.1 Evolving concepts and definitions
artistic creativity involves imagination and a capacity to generate original ideas and novel ways of interpreting the world, expressed in text, sound and image;
Scientific creativity
Technological creativity
Cultural creativity
Economic creativity
Source: KEA European Affairs (2006:42). C R E AT I V E E C O N O M Y R E P O R T 2 0 1 0
3