Everyone can be creative and probably exercises creativity somewhere in their lives on a daily basis. So how do we define the creative industries, what is included and excluded? And how did we arrive at the categories for our creative showcase?
The Creative Industries terminology arose from work in the UK and has been popularised internationally since the late 90s. Various definitions can be found but generally talk about creative industries as those industries that are based on individual creativity, skill and talent and developing intellectual property. The industry groups included does vary but the following are generally included:
- Music and Performing Arts
- Film, TV and Radio
- Advertising and Marketing
- Software and Interactive Content
- Publishing
- Architecture, Design and Visual Arts (Higgs & Cunningham, 2007a).
Sometimes this categorisation is broadened to include other ‘Cultural Industries’. These include activities such as cultural tourism, heritage, museums, libraries, sport and leisure activities and are at times described as 'lifestyle' industries.
Florida’s Creative Class groupings are broader again and incorporate all kinds of work where ideas and thinking are central. The Creative Class in this sense includes people who work in science, business, education, the arts, information technology and management (Florida, 2002).
Recent work arising from the ARC Centre for Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation (at QUT) by researchers such as Higgs and Cunningham (Higgs & Cunningham, 2007b) have identified that ‘creatives’ also work across a range of other industries and can be found in almost all industry sectors. They have developed different models for mapping creative workers across industry sectors as well as in specific creative industry sectors (for more information, look for work on the "Trident Model").
The Sunshine Coast Creative Alliance does not want to adhere to any exclusionary definitions of creative or knowledge industries. We invite involvement of all who may feel that they can contribute to and be represented by the organisation. For our membership categories and showcase, though, we have worked with categories that are typically used within creative industries literature, with reference to ABS categories and a consideration of the history of our organisation. That means we have categories in sustainability and education that may not be found in most creative industries listings. So what we have are some generic categories (which are also on our membership form) and then relevant sub-categories for each:
Advertising & Marketing
Advertising services
Market research & statistics
Media & communication
Public relations & promotions
Architecture, Design & Visual Arts
Architecture/services
Artist
Craft production
Fashion design
Furniture design/manufacture
Glass and ceramics
Graphic & product design
Interior design
Iron & steel casting
Jewellery & silversmithing
Photography
Culture & Heritage
Heritage activities
Indigenous culture
Libraries & archives
Museums & galleries
Education & Knowledge
Arts Education
Consultancy services
Education & training
Film, TV & Radio
Motion picture/video prod’tion
Post-production services
Radio announcer/production
Television production
Government & Policy
Arts administration
Local government admin
Music & Performing Arts
Director
Musician
Music & sound recording
Music Publishing
Performer/Entertainer
Technical & prod’tion support
Venues & operations
Publishing
Book & magazine publishing
Editorial services
Magazine publishing
Newspaper publishing
Writing
Software & Digital Content
Computer & systems design
Interactive games
Internet publishing
Software design & publishing
Web design
Sustainability & Environment
Environmental engineering
Landscaping
Professional & technical
Recycled products
Sustainability consultation
Sustainable energies
Other
Financial & legal
Management & admin
Of course we encourage and recognise the creative activities of people across industry sectors and promote sustainable creativity in all forms, even if it doesn't fit with our showcase. We would encourage all those in the creative industries to spread the word about being profiled on our showcase and build this site into a must-to spot to visit in coastal cyberspace.
References
Florida, R. (2002). The Rise of the Creative Class. Christchurch, NZ: Hazard Press.
Higgs, P., & Cunningham, S. (2007a). Australia's Creative Economy: Definitions. Brisbane: ARC Centre for Excellence for Creative Industries & Innovation (CCI).
Higgs, P., & Cunningham, S. (2007b). Australia's Creative Economy: Mapping Methodologies. Brisbane: ARC Centre for Excellence for Creative Industries & Innovation (CCI).
