What are creative industries?

Historically, “creative industries” (also identified with cultural industries) are a relatively new area of the global marketplace – the term itself emerged in the 1990s. The sector is based on the creative, innovative and talent-driven activities of creators of art, culture, media and design in the broadest sense. The basis of all creative activities is the rich and interdisciplinary knowledge of creative sector creators, as a result of which goods and services with added value (including, among others, high quality, attractive and thoughtful form, innovative solutions) are produced and distributed.

Creative industries are important because of their multidimensionality – they can become a tool for many aspects of social life. They have a multitude of creative layers, among the most important of which are the social, economic, cultural and those related to sustainability.

Social aspect

The idea of creative industries has initiated a number of changes in the social structure, creating a new special group characteristic of the modern, post-industrial, innovative economy – the creative class. Its most important features are the ability to creatively use its intellectual potential, which consists, among other things, of knowledge, the ability to think outside the box, communication skills both socially (social competence, i.e., building a network of professional and personal connections) and technologically (digital competence, i.e., the ability to use modern communication tools and navigate in cyberspace). The common factor that integrates communities is individualism, worldview openness, autonomy and the belief in the high importance of creative competence and professionalism in both professional and social life.

The economic aspect

Trade in creative sector products is becoming a growing branch of global trade. From 1996 to 2005, global exports of visual arts increased from 10.3 billion to 22.1 billion. At the same time, revenues from audiovisual media sales tripled.

Cultural aspect

Creative industries are the bridge that connects culture and economics. On the one hand, they are a cultural factor, while on the other hand, they are an effective way through which culture influences the economy, thereby building a stronger society. Adequate selection of cultural assets with a clear preference for those that would not have been created without a creative approach indicates economic and social status.

Sustainability

Like the environment, cultural capital must also be protected. This role is ideally fulfilled by the various branches of the creative industries. The creative sector is also environmentally friendly in nature, as it relies on people and their ideas rather than raw materials, and is usually less dependent on heavy industry infrastructure.

Creative industries is primarily an area that targets passions, the ability to create and create innovation. Among the most important creative areas are those that revolve around:

• Advertisements,
• film and video,
• Architectures,
• music,
• art and antiques market,
• performing arts,
• computer and video games,
• publishing market,
• crafts,
• Software,
• design,
• radio and television,
• fashion design.

Creative industries cluster

The Creative Industries Cluster is an entity whose main task is to represent and integrate the creative industries sector (cultural industries) not only locally, but most importantly globally. The primary function of the Cluster is to create new forms, trends, ideas, services and market products for the benefit of affiliated representatives of the creative industries sector.

The aim of the activities carried out by the Cluster is to create conditions for mutual exchange of experiences, establishing partnerships and cooperation between cultural institutions, scientific centers and entrepreneurs. The end result is expected to be the implementation of specific projects.