During the lifetime of the Creative Growth project, a total of 5 interregional thematic seminars will be arranged on themes linked to the topics of the TWGs and themes exploring creativity as a catalyst for local-regional competitiveness. The interregional seminars will be hosted by different partner regions and will be open to stakeholders from beyond the partnership. The interregional seminars will be a mix of showcases, study visits, workshops, presentations and info from the ongoing TWG activities.

During the lifetime of the Creative Growth project, a total of 5 interregional thematic seminars will be arranged on themes linked to the topics of the TWGs and themes exploring creativity as a catalyst for local-regional competitiveness. The interregional seminars will be hosted by different partner regions and will be open to stakeholders from beyond the partnership. The interregional seminars will be a mix of showcases, study visits, workshops, presentations and info from the ongoing TWG activities.

Entrepreneurship in the Creative Sector

Spinderihallerne – Centre for Culture and Business hosted a successful conference on Entrepreneurship in the Creative Sector on 23rd June 2010 in Vejle, Denmark. The event took place in the newly reopened 13,000 sqm Culture and Business Centre “Spinderihallerne”.

The event addressed and showcased how strong policies and business development initiatives are prerequisites to maximising the business potential of the creative sector and its effect on other industries. Regional policymakers, business support services and creative entrepreneurs from Spain, Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Sweden, United Kingdom, Lithuania and Denmark looked at different approaches to promoting the creative sector and the creative economy, discussed local and regional strategic action plans for the creative sector and business support mechanisms tailor made for creative entrepreneurs. The well-balanced mix of stakeholders from the creative sector allowed for interesting and in-depth roundtable debates where all participants had an active role and an opportunity to explore and exchange experience and knowledge. To help set the scene for the round tables debates, the event was kick-started with introductory speeches by Birgitte Hee Olesen from the Regional Office of South Denmark, Lene Lawaetz from the Centre for Culture and Business and Jacob Gjørtz from Punktum Komma Streg. This setting was a huge success.

In the afternoon all participants attended a case study tour of “Spinderihallerne” – the 100 year old spinning halls which today consist of an innovative environment for more than 40 creative businesses, the Centre for Culture and Business as well as a number of cultural institutions.

The conference ended with a presentation on “Creative growth in practice: taking design into business”, which looked at how good design increasingly is the engine of both growth and innovation, and how design-driven growth linking with creativity can boost competiveness in traditional businesses.

Video from the conference will be available from this website in August 2010.

For more info on speakers and presentations see the event programme.
 

Entrepreneurship in the Creative Sector

Spinderihallerne – Centre for Culture and Business hosted a successful conference on Entrepreneurship in the Creative Sector on 23rd June 2010 in Vejle, Denmark. The event took place in the newly reopened 13,000 sqm Culture and Business Centre “Spinderihallerne”.

The event addressed and showcased how strong policies and business development initiatives are prerequisites to maximising the business potential of the creative sector and its effect on other industries. Regional policymakers, business support services and creative entrepreneurs from Spain, Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Sweden, United Kingdom, Lithuania and Denmark looked at different approaches to promoting the creative sector and the creative economy, discussed local and regional strategic action plans for the creative sector and business support mechanisms tailor made for creative entrepreneurs. The well-balanced mix of stakeholders from the creative sector allowed for interesting and in-depth roundtable debates where all participants had an active role and an opportunity to explore and exchange experience and knowledge. To help set the scene for the round tables debates, the event was kick-started with introductory speeches by Birgitte Hee Olesen from the Regional Office of South Denmark, Lene Lawaetz from the Centre for Culture and Business and Jacob Gjørtz from Punktum Komma Streg. This setting was a huge success.

In the afternoon all participants attended a case study tour of “Spinderihallerne” – the 100 year old spinning halls which today consist of an innovative environment for more than 40 creative businesses, the Centre for Culture and Business as well as a number of cultural institutions.

The conference ended with a presentation on “Creative growth in practice: taking design into business”, which looked at how good design increasingly is the engine of both growth and innovation, and how design-driven growth linking with creativity can boost competiveness in traditional businesses.

Video from the conference will be available from this website in August 2010.

For more info on speakers and presentations see the event programme.
 

Betting on Creativity

BIC Asturias organized on 10 March an international workshop convened in Gijón and gathering up to a hundred representatives from political authorities, institutions, technology centers and companies from Asturias (Spain), Denmark, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Sweden, United Kingdom, Lithuania and Italy. During the one-day seminar it became clear that creativity is now a concept increasingly valued and taken into account as an engine of development with great potential for growth and employment generation.

The event, held in the majestic Hall of Paintings at Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura in Gijòn, was inaugurated by Jorge Fernández León, Deputy Minister of Cultural and Linguistic Policy, Victor M. González Marroquín, chairman of the BIC, and Anna Jacobson, coordinator of the Creative Growth project. The seminar examined three issues that can influence economic growth and competitiveness of the creative sector as critical factors: through different local-regional strategies and support services; by boosting cooperation and by the influence of IC Technologies. The attendants learned about interesting initiatives, strategies, supports and case studies illustrating key factors for the competitiveness of the creative sector.

In the afternoon, the seminar participants were invited to the LABoral Art and Industrial Creation Centre as a case study visit.

For more info on speakers and presentations see the event programme.

Spanish TV covered the interregional seminar in Gijón, Asturias:  

Betting on Creativity

BIC Asturias organized on 10 March an international workshop convened in Gijón and gathering up to a hundred representatives from political authorities, institutions, technology centers and companies from Asturias (Spain), Denmark, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Sweden, United Kingdom, Lithuania and Italy. During the one-day seminar it became clear that creativity is now a concept increasingly valued and taken into account as an engine of development with great potential for growth and employment generation.

The event, held in the majestic Hall of Paintings at Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura in Gijòn, was inaugurated by Jorge Fernández León, Deputy Minister of Cultural and Linguistic Policy, Victor M. González Marroquín, chairman of the BIC, and Anna Jacobson, coordinator of the Creative Growth project. The seminar examined three issues that can influence economic growth and competitiveness of the creative sector as critical factors: through different local-regional strategies and support services; by boosting cooperation and by the influence of IC Technologies. The attendants learned about interesting initiatives, strategies, supports and case studies illustrating key factors for the competitiveness of the creative sector.

In the afternoon, the seminar participants were invited to the LABoral Art and Industrial Creation Centre as a case study visit.

For more info on speakers and presentations see the event programme.

Spanish TV covered the interregional seminar in Gijón, Asturias:  

”KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER IN THE CREATIVE SECTOR” Edinburgh Napier University.

The two day seminar at Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland with the purpose of discussing the prospects of the Interreg IVC project “Creative Growth” aiming to develop the creative sector as a new business sector and a key driver of the emerging knowledge economy was a huge success.
Edinburgh Napier University hosted a fine event in beautiful surroundings and generous hospitality.
From the beginning of the seminar and to the very end it was clear that there was a common goal and understanding of what can be done to maximise the outcome of Creative Growth and many participants had an urge to contribute with possible solutions to promote the project the best way possible.

In the surroundings of restaurant and event venue The Voodoo Rooms a number of speakers from the creative industry gave a good presentation of the situation in the creative industry focusing on music. The partakers all had a very strong desire to take part in the discussion which indicated very well how dedicated everybody was to the Creative Growth project. Olaf Furniss from Born To Be Wide entertainingly guided the event and among others interviewed two young local musicians who had some experience with seeking financial funding in order for them to focus as much as possible on their music. The arrangement was rounded off with a live performance of two local musicians. Edinburgh Napier University chose to exemplify the sector with music as case area and underlined the huge potential within this particular sector.

Throughout the entire seminar the Scottish hospitality and sense of humor made the two days an informal and relaxed time in company of partners, observers and other interested people yet in a tight schedule. The relaxed atmosphere underlined the creative industry as something unique, new and relatively unexplored yet with a huge potential just waiting for us to capitalise from. 

For more info see event programme.

”KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER IN THE CREATIVE SECTOR” Edinburgh Napier University.

The two day seminar at Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland with the purpose of discussing the prospects of the Interreg IVC project “Creative Growth” aiming to develop the creative sector as a new business sector and a key driver of the emerging knowledge economy was a huge success.
Edinburgh Napier University hosted a fine event in beautiful surroundings and generous hospitality.
From the beginning of the seminar and to the very end it was clear that there was a common goal and understanding of what can be done to maximise the outcome of Creative Growth and many participants had an urge to contribute with possible solutions to promote the project the best way possible.

In the surroundings of restaurant and event venue The Voodoo Rooms a number of speakers from the creative industry gave a good presentation of the situation in the creative industry focusing on music. The partakers all had a very strong desire to take part in the discussion which indicated very well how dedicated everybody was to the Creative Growth project. Olaf Furniss from Born To Be Wide entertainingly guided the event and among others interviewed two young local musicians who had some experience with seeking financial funding in order for them to focus as much as possible on their music. The arrangement was rounded off with a live performance of two local musicians. Edinburgh Napier University chose to exemplify the sector with music as case area and underlined the huge potential within this particular sector.

Throughout the entire seminar the Scottish hospitality and sense of humor made the two days an informal and relaxed time in company of partners, observers and other interested people yet in a tight schedule. The relaxed atmosphere underlined the creative industry as something unique, new and relatively unexplored yet with a huge potential just waiting for us to capitalise from. 

For more info see event programme.