Ushering in the creative age

A fascinating article about the way creativity could create growth in the economy. 

I agree 100% with it. 

USHERING IN THE CREATIVE AGE
By Alan Freeman, principal economist in the Greater London Authority’s Economic Analysis Unit from 2001 to 2011. He now writes and advises on cultural policy. 

"The ‘creative industries’, a term popularized by the 1997 British labor government, are a copywriters’ dream. They create wealth. They unleash innovation. Since offer a sustainable growth path. Their put art and culture in reach of middle and low income earners. They drive urban regeneration, enhance well-being, and cut crime. Creativity beats apple pie hands down. 
But these enticing ideas are disputable. The link between the creative and innovation is elusive. They can be surprisingly energy-intensive. Creative clusters do seem to foster regeneration, but we still don’t know what works best. Nevertheless, while working for the Mayor of London, England, I found strong evidence that these industries exist, are growing and generating employment, and give rise to ‘overspill’ benefits above and beyond mere sales revenue. In fact, if I am right, the creative industries are a new technology,comparable to the big inventions that helped bring the world out of the last two Great Depressions of 1873-1893 and 1929-1942.  
We should invest in it, not only because ‘art is good’ but for an urgent economic reason: it’s the best, and perhaps the only, way out of the crisis."


Thanks to Kit Glaisyer for posting this article on the Save Bridport's Art and Vintage Quarter Facebook page.