KIC INCUBATORS JOIN FORCES IN NATIONAL INTEREST GROUP

On 29-30 August, Sweden's incubators for artistic and creative industries gathered at Brewhouse kulturfabrik in Gothenburg to form creARTive - a new interest group for incubators in KKN* (Artistic and Creative Industries).

The aim of the Strategic Power Pool is to drive issues for the sector and create the best possible conditions for artists and creators to build and develop their businesses.

Common agenda

The idea was born when Martin Q Larsson, the newly appointed head of operations for Subtopia's incubator Klump, travelled around Sweden to gather experience from specialised players in the field. This led to a joint meeting in the spring, which ultimately also resulted in the incubators feeling the need for a common agenda.

- We realised that we had a lot in common. Our industries are used to sharing resources and working at the interface between the commercial and the meaningful, and between the entrepreneurial and the artistic. So it quickly became obvious that we should join forces and help to promote our industries on a national level," says Martin Q Larsson.

Strong upturn

The arts and creative industries are booming, both in terms of jobs and overall market growth. According to the latest reports from Tillväxtverket, the artistic and creative industries are leading the development of digital services. Working in these industries often means having your sights set on an international market from the idea stage.

- This is what makes the new network so important. Although musicians, actors, designers, game developers, writers and architects are themselves different in their expressions and in their business acumen, they operate to some extent in the same arena and can benefit from each other's knowledge and experience from their respective businesses, says Anna Svensdotter Dimle, Brewhouse's director of operations and artistic director.

- We see these differences as strengths. And that goes for us too, incubators in the cultural and creative industries. We are building this network on commitment and strength. We can strengthen and complement each other and join forces where we feel that our commitment and drive meet, says Marlene Johansson, CEO of eXpression Umeå.

*Cultural and creative industries (CCIs):
Architecture - Design and Creation - Film - Photography - Art - Cultural Heritage - Literature - Media and Marketing Communication - Fashion - Music - Food - Performing Arts - Arts and Crafts - Game Development - Experiential Learning

creARTive's members are