Creative Economy: A Year of Activation and Actualization

I’m writing from my corner of the world, South Africa; in two concurrent transits - between the cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town, and the chapters of my life: music and organizational management.

Reflecting on the Year that Was

I had nicknamed the year 2020, the year of twenty-plenty. Plenty of upheavals, plenty of plans gone south, plenty of unknowns. COVID-19 came along and turned the world upside down, inside out. The pandemic highlighted societal fault lines and exacerbated existing fissures. The invisible became visible. Those who were previously visible disappeared. Numbers turned into names. The whole world was grounded, literally. Jobs disintegrated, industries plummeted; ignorance and isolation, death and destruction on all fronts of lives and livelihoods. Countries vexing and vying for vaccines, revealing the real virus was of division and disconnect it caused amongst people. 

Facetime, screen time - Netflix and Zoom kept our spirits and selves sane throughout quarantine. Us creatives who ‘art’ for a living lived a double-edged existence. Work as we knew it, undefined and redefined itself. Our concept of time had also morphed. Organizations and companies followed suit (well, some at least attempted to). Those that embraced change management and adapted with the crises, survived. Others tanked. Still others, were borne and thrived.

As ‘the year that was’ progressed, plenty showed up in other guises: empathy, imagination, care, comfort, collaboration, and creativity. Artists and creatives explored and experimented going virtual and adopting hybrid models, venturing into alternative forms of expression. 

And in efforts to rebuild our post-pandemic societies – we turn to our creative and cultural practitioners.

Activating Artistic Innovations That Thrived

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) designated 2021 as the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development, demonstrating somewhat remarkable foresight whilst launching the Creative Economy Program towards the end of 2019 at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly.

Two months ago, the UN adopted resolution. Tabled by Indonesia and supported by 81 countries, political momentum behind the development of a creative economy was rallied as a means to promote sustained and inclusive economic growth. It also includes providing opportunities for fostering innovation in the recovery efforts from COVID-19. 

Research has shown creative economy’s key contributor to GDP, youth employment, economic development, women’s empowerment, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

What is termed as creative economy stems from the consumption of a creative product or service, such as watching entertainment through a streaming service, listening to music, reading a book, or purchasing merchandise. The creative economy is built upon the intellectual property (IP) and / or knowledge-based economic activities of creative industries. These include TV/radio, electronic publishing, computer games, software, research and development, publishing, performing arts, music, photography, video, film, fashion, design, arts and crafts, architecture, and advertising.

Member states have been encouraged to raise awareness in accordance with national priorities, promote networking and cooperation, share best practices, and promote enabling environment in all spheres to tackle the challenges of the creative economy. A series of virtual events and conferences have been lined up throughout this year to implement the program of activities. 

Learn More & Get Involved

To learn more about the partnerships with UNESCO, register for the upcoming ResiliArt debate on Building Back Better through Creative Economy 

Practically speaking, the creative economy has been recognized for its cultural and commercial value. There is quantifiable evidence. We are indeed in a time of transition. Perhaps there is no ‘new normal’. 

Perhaps in aiming for a ‘new better’, it is time for our young creatives to showcase even greater passion and power. Let us be the creative generation that unites, heals, and propels our respective societies towards hope and good health.