Creative industries

The creative industries refers to a range of economic activities which are concerned with the generation or exploitation of knowledge and information. They may variously also be referred to as the cultural industries (especially in Europe)^[1] or the creative economy,^[2] and most recently they have been denominated as the Orange Economy in Latin America and the Caribbean.^[3]

Howkins' creative economy comprises advertising, architecture, art, crafts, design, fashion, film, music, performing arts, publishing, R&D, software, toys and games, TV and radio, and video games.^[4] Some scholars consider that the education industry, including public and private services, are forming a part of the creative industries.^[5] There remain, therefore, different definitions of the sector.^[6]

The creative industries have been seen to become increasingly important to economic well-being, proponents suggesting that "human creativity is the ultimate economic resource",^[7] and that "the industries of the twenty-first century will depend increasingly on the generation of knowledge through creativity and innovation".^[8]