CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

The term of creative industries came into use in Western Europe in the 1970s when the contribution of culture to social and economic development of West European countries became the object of discussion. These industries were recognized as a very influential power in the fast-changing global economy. Research findings from the UK prove that the creative industries are the most swiftly growing economic segment, which has already left behind the financial sector.

A special resolution on creative industries is being drafted by the Committee on Culture, Youth, Education, the Media and Sport at the European Parliament. The draft resolution states that the Lisbon commitments concerning Europe as a knowledge society call for adequate attention to be paid for the creative industries.

The discussion about the future of the EU programme Culture 2000, where Lithuania is also taking an active part, highlights the creative industries as a new sector for funding.

The creative industries are activities which are based on individual creativity, skill and talent and which have a potential for wealth and job creation through the generation of intellectual property (The Creative Industries Mapping Document, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the UK, 2001). In other words, the creative industries cover all creative activities related with copyright.

The creative industries include the following sub-sectors: architecture, crafts, the performing arts, design, interactive software, fashion, the art and antiques market, music, film and video, publishing, television and radio, software and computer services, advertising.

In the UK the creative industries are held a part of a broader notion, i.e. cultural industries, which apart from the creative industries also include libraries, heritage, leisure and tourism, and sport.

The definition of creative industries is still a matter of dispute both in the USA and Europe. It has been agreed, however, that cultural values cannot be merely defined in economic terms. Owing to their specific origin, the creative industries are nowadays classed as the most pespective branch of economy of the 21^st centure.

New! On the 1^st of December 2005 the forum "European Opportunity: Creative Industries for Regional Development" was held in Vilnius. The main organisers of the forum were the European Cultural Programs Centre and the British Council Lithuania. The forum was partially supported by the Open Society Fund Lithuania and the Culture and Sport Foundation of the Lithuanian Republic. You can find all the information concerning the forum under the “Events” section here.

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