Cultural and creative industries
Cultural and creative industries
New developments and bold projects on the Ruhr
Lively, innovative, modern - the Metropole Ruhr is reinventing itself. Away from the image of a purely industrial region, towards a region of the future, a unique urban landscape based on knowledge and services. Culture, industry and science are the new pillars of the new, knowledge-based society on the Ruhr. In the ongoing process of transformation a key role is played by artistic expertise and creativity - these are the starting points for innovations and new economic developments.The creative industry in the Metropole Ruhr is surrounded by ideal conditions for a continued expansion, because the state of North Rhine-Westphalia has long played a pioneering role in the field of culture and creativity. In 1992 NRW was the first German federal state to present a cultural economic report; today the creative economy is one of five profile-defining markets in the state. That the cultural and creative industries and their numerous sub-sectors contribute considerably to gross value added - and are therefore of major economic importance - is a fact that is beyond dispute both nationally and internationally.
The cultural and creative industries…
… include all those business establishments and freelancers that provide services, manufacture products or sell goods that aid the preparation, creation, retention and securing of artistic production and the imparting and/or medial distribution of culture.
Sub-markets of the cultural and creative industries are:
the publishing trade
the film industry and TV production
broadcasting/TV companies
visual arts, music, literature etc.
journalism / news agencies
museum shops, art exhibitions
trading in books, music supplies, art
architectural agencies
design agencies
advertising agencies
software/games industry
Urban landscape with a unique cultural identity
With around 20,000 cultural and creative companies, coupled with mature infrastructure, the Metropole Ruhr can stand up to comparison with other creative centres. Amongst other aspects, the Ruhr cultural landscape comprises 250 cultural festivals, 200 museums, 120 theatres, 100 cultural centres and concert halls as well as 1000 industrial monuments. The urban landscape and its unique cultural identity are fertile ground for the commercial creative industries. It offers ideal prerequisites for the promotion of knowledge and creativity as a key potential in global competition, in the process strengthening the economy at both a regional and national level.
Inspiration: European Capital of Culture 2010
The world is looking to the Metropole Ruhr: as the first European Capital of Culture, the Capital of Culture 2010 will grant the creative industries a sphere of their own. The Capital of Culture will therefore serve as inspiration for the creative industries in the Ruhr district. Interlinking, communication and consolidation are the guidelines upon which the numerous interdisciplinary measures and sector-specific projects are aligned.
Regional projects aid exchange and interlinking
Sector-specific projects such as the founding of the Ruhr Music Commission and the Ruhr Games Commission are designed to promote the interests of the music and games industries and initiate dialogue with political and administrative bodies for the purpose of reinforcing these sectors. The interdisciplinary linking of the creative enterprises is to be aided by the creation of a web and television project, 2010lab.tv. This brings together the creative sector in the Metropole Ruhr for the first time in a comprehensive fashion, serving virtual interaction within the sector far beyond the borders of the region itself.
The development of creative urban districts also aims to further facilitate conditions for the generation of creative zones. The focus here is upon urban development areas that offer the potential to incorporate the manifold qualities of the Metropole Ruhr. An impressive example of this is the Zeche Zollverein in Essen: on the world heritage site a creative centre has been established with a focus on design. Alongside establishments such as the Design Zentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, start-ups have also located here and become established companies. In co-operation with supra-regional partners such as the chambers of trade and crafts the local know-how is made available to companies throughout the region. This means that the design competencies of one side becomes a profit factor for the other - to the mutual benefit of both.
The Dortmunder U is a further crystallisation point in the creative industries of the Ruhr district. On the 80,000 square metre site of a former brewery a new centre for creative industries was established at the heart of the city centre, the clear focus being upon music and media, with close collaboration with organisations from the arts, tourism and gastronomy.
Performing arts, music and literature characterise the future profile of the Victoria Quartier in Bochum, which is taking shape between the Schauspielhaus, the legendary Bermuda3eck, the new Marienkirche church and the planned concert hall. Here too, creative individuals are able to work in a fascinating creative space that offers a wide range of options for establishing contacts and performing activities.
Further urban development areas are coming up in Essen (Scheidt'sche Hallen), Herne (Kreativ.Quartier Am Kanal), Mülheim an der Ruhr (Games Factory Ruhr), Oberhausen (creativ:O), Unna (Unna-Massimo) and the former Lohberg colliery in Dinslaken (Kreativ.Quartier Lohberg).
Regional commitment in the creative industries field of the Capital of Culture 2010 is tied to the necessity of stimulating new developments and acting as a role model in this sector for Europe as a whole. Exchanges with other regions, the inviting of creative individuals from all around the world and the pursuit of international dialogue are all part of this initiative. Platforms for this in the region will be created via new and existing centralised event formats (for example the creativity and economy congress fair, currently in the planning stage, the ‘Branchenhearings’ etc.).
Support from business development agencies
The development of the creative industries in the Metropole Ruhr is actively guided and supported by the business development agencies in the region. The business development agencies are contact partners for location and start-up issues, qualification and consulting, establishment of contacts and a great deal more. Local platforms already exist at many locations, with a wide range of offers for local creative individuals and enterprises.
A major communal festival is currently in the planning stage. Hosted annually, it will raise the profile of creative individuals and companies in the Metropole Ruhr and serve to promote further interlinking amongst them. The ‘Essens Kreative Klasse’ project, successfully staged in both 2007 and 2008, will be organised on regional dimensions from 2009 onwards: a festival of the creative industries in which creative freelancers and companies can present their services and ideas.
Setting the tone between culture and business
The Ruhr creative industries – pioneering developments and bold projects. Creative individuals and companies are invited to experience this exciting process first hand and to make their own contributions to the interplay between art, culture and the economy.