Humak University of Applied Sciences
Degree Programme in Cultural Management
BACHELOR’S THESIS ABSTRACT
AuthorPiia Kalliala
Title
Creative Industry – Research about the basics of creative industry and the state of it in Turku
Tutors
Annika Mäkelä & Timo Parkkola / Number of pages
47
Abstract
The aim of this thesis was to research the basics of creative industry through literature, report’s and studies. Another aim was to list companies from the creative sector in the city of Turku. The list was made by request for the Southwestern Finland’s Cultural business web “Kulttuuriyritysverkosto” project and it contains 300 companies and their contact information. The list was formed by searching through various data sources and business listings between March and October 2007. The list attached to the thesis includes creative companies in Turku as well as some professionally working associations such as theatres.
In order to clarify the theory on the creative industry, it was necessary to define the most central terms as there is no standard definition either nationally or internationally. Different countries have made their own definitions. According to one definition creative sector in Finland includes: advertising, animation, architecture, the art and antiques market, communication, crafts, design, film and video, music, performing arts such as dance and theatre, photography, event management, publishing and publication, computer games, television and radio. Business made by the creative sector creates creative industry and they are a significant part of economic and service industry.
According to the American professor Richard Florida, the so called creative class is in the core of society. The creative class consists of scientists, engineers, architects, designers, teachers, artists, musicians and people in the entertainment field. In addition to them creative class involves the so called creative experts. Creative class and the emergence of minorities are said to predict economic growth. Minorities are seen as a sign of the areas with open mindedness and tolerance. According to Florida’s research over 30 percent of Finnish employers belong to the creative class. International research published in 2005 ranks Finland to the top three amongst the most creative countries, Sweden being the first and Japan being the second.
According to my research creativity must be developed and sustained in our society. In an ideal situation increased creativity benefits everybody eventually. Especially the creative industry will grow significantly. Not necessarily through creative and artistic work in the creative sector, but through benefiting from it with more diverse ways and using creativity in other industries. In the future one needs to be multifarious and able to predict and prepare for changes. Besides technological know-how creativity needs an environment that supports innovations, diverse talents, creative people, communities and networks, tolerance, diversity and especially creative leadership. Turku has the potential to become such an environment. Development is supported by the will to make the European Capital of Culture year 2011 a project for the whole city.
Keywords
Creativity, creative industry, creative sector, cultural entrepreneur, area attractions, Turku