CCA Bulletin 10/08

March 14, 2008

From Economy to Ecology – A Policy Framework for Creative Labour

Just the Facts

The Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) has released the report “From Economy to Ecology: A Policy Framework for Creative Labour”. The document is a comprehensive examination of the creative economy concept and more particularly of how the current labour policy framework should adapt to the realities of creative professionals.

The report reflects a broad range of approaches to the creative economy in a number of countries who have undertaken to develop strategies to promote the creative economy and to encourage creative professionals. The report examines the Canadian approach to the status of the artist question and offers some new thinking about how best to deal with the unique characteristics of workers in the creative economy.

The report was commissioned as a contribution to the International Forum on the Creative Economy which is being held in Gatineau on March 17-18, 2008. It was prepared for the CCA by Mirjam Gollmitzer, Research Associate, PhD Candidate, and Catherine Murray PhD, of the Centre of Expertise on Culture and Communities at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. Dr. Catherine Murray has been invited to give one of the key-note addresses at the event, which both National Director, Alain Pineau and Cultural Policy Advisor, Guillaume Sirois will attend as well.

Tell Me More…

The Report is comprised of three sections:

• I)                   Definitions and Models of the Creative Economy

This section offers an overview of the evolution of the concept and cites several scholars who have made important contributions to an understanding of the creative economy. David Throsby, an Australian academic, has developed a conceptual framework for the creative economy which removes some of the mystery behind this terminology. He is also a participant at the International Forum on the Creative Economy.

• II)                 Mapping Creative Labour in Canada

This section provides an overview of culture professionals who share many labour attributes with creative professionals. Higher than average education, self-employment and multiple sources of income are some of the benchmarks of the culture and creative professionals that populate and animate the creative economy. It also raises the question of what professions constitute the creative economy, an issue which will foster many animated discussions.

• III) Policies to Promote Creative Labour

How can a nation adapt labour policies developed in an industrial/agrarian economy so as to meet the changing realities of the creative economy? The authors identify novel approaches to dealing with some of these issues and point to several structural and policy obstacles in the Canadian system that may impede such developments. The report points to the fact that it is important to tackle the concept of creative ecology if one wants to pursue that of the creative economy.

The Report is intended to open a dialogue with the cultural sector and the policy-making community. The CCA regards the creative economy and creative ecology concept as having a great potential in adopting policies that recognize and support the creative and culture professionals.

The CCA intends to distribute this report widely to Parliamentarians, public policy officials and others to foster a thoughtful reflection on how Canada can reap the benefits flowing from the creative economy.

What Can I Do?

The CCA encourages you to share this document with your colleagues, municipal and provincial/territorial officials. The document is voluminous and the bibliography extensive, however easily accessible and a good starting point for further discussion within the arts and culture sector.