Creative industries and regional economic development: Can a creative industries hub spark new ways to grow a regional economy?

Abstract

By driving innovation, creative industries can underpin economic development. Much research and policy attention has centred on the geographic clustering of creative industries to spur economic growth. The geographical clustering of creative industries businesses is often viewed as an important driver of economic growth, particularly when it comes to networking and knowledge sharing for small and medium enterprises. There is a consensus among researchers that there is no 'one size fits all' approach to creative industries clusters driving economic change. Some argue to regionally develop creative industries clusters based on existing networks rather than create them from scratch by policy. In this case study, creative industries in Townsville in regional Australia were surveyed to explore the potential for a creative industries hub based on existing networks. The survey was augmented by interviews which indicate a robust level of information sharing, joint idea generation and a desire for innovation.