culturalentrepreneur.org

Later this month I travel to Monza, Italy for the first UNESCO Forum on Cultural Industries.  UNESCO has asked me to present on “New Strategies for Cultural Enterprises”  You might be surprised that I chose Cultural Industries Policy as the first of five major points I want to introduce.  Not being much of a “policy wonk” this is unfamiliar territory for me but I have come to appreciate that policy it is critical to building opportunities for cultural entrepreneurs.  Cultural Industry policy needs to:

1. Foster the development of cultural entrepreneurs
2. Address public and private strategies for cultural industries to grow such as in our city  of Santa Fe
3. Focus on specific sectors and clusters

We have many strategies available to us to build and strengthen our cultural enterprises and it takes policy at the local, regional or national levels to make them effective. I have listed several strategies that can be addressed through cultural policy and support our cultural entrepreneurs:

1. Invest in Market Development and Market Linkages
Locally: http://www.torpedofactory.org/history.htm
Nationally: Denmark
International: Exporting cultural products and services

2. Create Investment Funds for enterprise growth
Creating new funds, private and public, that invest in our cultural entrepreneurs who will convert cultural capital into successful enterprises, enhancing cultural workers livelihoods.  www.socialcapitalmarkets.net

3. Support technical assistance for Product Development
The irony of preserving traditions is the seed of innovation and creativity is needed.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Docey-Lewis/698307412

4. Initiate Facility Development
We need cultural incubators, studios, performing venues, http://www.brewhouse.se/

5. Foster Network and Cluster Development
Linking together creators and markets will create positive synergy

6. Provide supportive legislation that fosters the development of cultural entrepreneurs, enterprises and industries
Zoning for arts and cultural districts
Tax incentives to promote investment and market development
Architecture restoration, preservation and zoning
Simplify enterprise regulations and permits
Laws that protect cultural intellectual property

All of these areas require attention as cultural industries policy is developed.  A good reference book is: “The Cultures and Globalization Series: The Cultural Economy“, Eds Helmut Anheier and Yudhishthir Raj Isar, Sage Publications, 2008.