We provide evidence and guidance to cities and regions on ways to maximize the economic and social impact of culture and support the creative economy  

In co-operation with the European Commission and part of the European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage 

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Maximising the impact of culture and cultural heritage on local development

Following the decline of traditional manufacturing industries, museums and other cultural heritage sites have increasingly been seen as drivers of community regeneration and thus a source of revenue and new jobs. Cultural heritage and a vibrant creative economy can increase territorial attractiveness for talent and investment. At the same time, the role of culture in spurring innovation as well as supporting well-being, health, life-long learning and the creation of social capital have become prominent.

Streams of work

• Understanding and increasing cultural participation
• Cross-sectoral strategies and partnerships

Increasing the jobs potential of cultural and creative industries

The creative economy relies on creative talent as the primary source of value. The demand for skilled creative workers is strong and rapidly evolving, both in cultural and creative sectors and other sectors of the economy. To reap these job creation benefits, cities and regions need more reliable data to shape their
policies and address the needs of creative employers and self-employed creatives.

Streams of work

• Understanding trends and the geography of the creative economy workforce
• Local strategies to address the skills needs of CCS and self-employed creatives

Supporting business creation, innovation and growth

The cultural and creative sectors are largely composed of micro, small and medium sized enterprises and auto-entrepreneurs. Such firms co-exist with a few large global players. There is a strong demand for better and more reliable data, at subnational level, on the performance of these enterprises, as well as on ways to adapt business support ecosystems to their specific needs.

Streams of work

• Understanding the performance of CCS
• Adapting business support ecosystems to the needs of CCS and self-employed creatives

Public and private finance for culture and creative sectors

‌The activities of culture and creative sectors are financed through various sources, from the public, private and non-profit sectors. Overall, local government “culture, recreation and religion” spending accounts for roughly 60% of total public expenditure in this area in the OECD. Such public direct and indirect financing is often combined with funding provided by nonprofit and business organisations, and individual donations.

Streams of work

• Trends and issues in local government expenditure on culture
• Innovation in public and private financing