Today marks the launch of Creativity, Culture & Capital. This project has collaboration, collective learning and intentionality at its heart. It was born of three women across three continents recognising the power and solidarity of working together, and has been developed through the efforts of our global network of contributors and partners. This effort is anchored in a firm belief in the potential for the creative economy to sustain, empower and delight individuals, communities and society – and the power of impact capital to ignite this potential. As a living resource and community platform, Creativity, Culture & Capital illustrates that the creative sector already delivers social impact and proves that impact investment supports a more just and sustainable global creative economy.

Launched at the start of 2021, the United Nations International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development, Creativity, Culture & Capital recognises the creative sector as a key driver of inclusive and sustainable growth as the world considers how to recover from the devastating effects of COVID-19. The cultural and creative sectors are among the most affected by the current crisis and the effects will be long lasting. Creativity, Culture & Capital highlights the need and opportunity for impact investment to support renewed substantial sector growth, alongside continued government funding, philanthropic support and profit-maximising investment at a moment when arts organisations and the creative industries are considering how to ‘build back better’ following a global pandemic which triggered severe economic consequences for all communities.

We are opening the project with a series of essays published in English and Spanish, that showcase the employment power of the artisan craft sector, the role of culture in placemaking, opportunities for technology to democratise access to great art, as well as how impact funds are already investing in the creative industries globally.

We are aiming to publish 100 essays in total by the end of 2021, creating a rich resource of geographies, sectors and experiences. A call for submissions and detailed guidance will be launched in March 2021. In particular we are seeking perspectives from Africa, Asia and the Middle East; examples from cultural heritage, fashion, design, food and media; and voices of leaders from marginalised communities and the next generation.

To be notified when the submission process is open, please join the Creativity, Culture & Capital mailing list on the website.