Creative Industries

Creative industries play a crucial role in modern economies, as they are drivers of new forms of impact oriented and non-research driven innovation: business model innovation, service innovation, organisational innovation, social innovation, design thinking etc. As driving force of the digital shift, they act as an innovation booster through their crossover effects and their transformative power on the whole economy.

Creative industries account for more than 10% of all Austrian enterprises (around 42,000) and for 3.8% of the gross value added - almost as important as tourism with 4%! They are one of the Austrian growth drivers, having generated a total revenues growth between 2008 and 2016 of 21% (overall economy: 8%) and an employment growth of 16% (overall economy: 7%). With 91% of the creative companies being innovation active, 75% contributing to product or service innovations and 44% dealing with new business models, the creative industries are a key innovation driver for the Austrian economy.

Austria has been among the first movers to recognise the importance of creative industries with regard to innovation policy and has incorporated the creatives industries into the national strategy for research, technology and innovation back in 2011. In 2016, the Creative Industries Strategy for Austria has been drafted in a co-creative process of several months with over 100 entrepreneurs and experts, led by the Economic Affairs Ministry in co-operation with Kreativwirtschaft Austria, Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH and the Austrian Economic Chamber. This strategy sets out the pathway for the next years till 2025.

The Austrian national support programme for creative industries is implemented by Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH and Kreativwirtschaft Austria. Financial support schemes as well as various services ranging from training to networking help to bring to life innovations related to the creative industries.

Additional information

Contact

Creative industries: kreativwirtschaft@bmaw.gv.at