Revival of India’s Creative Economy

Revival of India’s Creative Economy

Syllabus: GS3/ Indian Economy & Related Issues

In News

• The creative economy is one of the youngest and fastest-growing sectors in India.

What is the creative economy?

• The creative economy has no single definition. It is an evolving concept which builds on the interplay between human creativity and ideas and intellectual property, knowledge and technology. 
• Essentially it is the knowledge-based economic activities upon which the ‘creative industries’ are based.

Status of India’s creative economy

• Growing recognition:
  • There is now growing recognition of the economic importance of the arts sector as it helps in the creation of jobs, economic growth, tourism, exports, and overall societal development.
  • Digital platforms and technology have enabled Indian artists and artisans to reach wider audiences.
    • Online platforms, social media, and digital content creation enable artists, writers, film-makers, musicians, and other creatives to engage with audiences, and monetise their talents. 
  • Indian artists and artisans play a vital role in preserving traditional art forms and creating contemporary artworks.
• UNESCO MONDIACULT 2022:
  • Recognising the economic importance of culture, the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT 2022) was held to address contemporary issues in multicultural societies. 
    • The goal was to share a vision for the future of cultural policies and to reaffirm the international community’s commitment to leveraging culture’s transformative power for sustainable development.

Challenges

• Common issues:
  • Indian artists and artisans face challenges that are related to economic sustainability, market access, and the preservation of traditional art forms in a rapidly changing society. 
• Need of support & finances:
  • Government support, cultural institutions, and initiatives provide financial assistance, training programmes, and opportunities for artists to exhibit their work. 
  • However, more efforts are needed to promote contemporary artists as brands and ensure equal representation and financial assistance.
• Limited reach of sponsored platforms:
  • There are challenges in the selection of artists for financial assistance in organising cultural events. 
    • Lack of transparency in the selection process creates inequality in representation. 
    • So, talented artists, particularly those based outside the city, are unable to gain from sponsored platforms. 
• Lack of promoting platforms:
  • Unlike in other countries, there are no serious efforts by private or public institutions to promote contemporary artists as brands. 
• Crime in the art sector:
  • Crime in the art world includes art theft, copyright infringement, forgery, fraud, and illicit trafficking. 
    • There is no institutional infrastructure, expertise and technology to verify the original artwork. 
      • The gap is leading to injustice towards genuine artists.
  • Outcomes of crimes:
    • These offences affect cultural heritage and cause financial harm and erode public trust. 

Suggestions

• Collaborative model:
  • Having a collaborative model promoting the cultural economy is an effective solution to address the challenges faced by the creative economy and promote the economic contribution of culture.
• Developing a capacity-building centre:
  • To promote economic growth, a solution can be to encourage India’s soft power by having a capacity-building centre.
  • The needs of artists must be bridged through training, professional development, market access, and participation in larger communities and networks. 
• Collaborating with private players:
  • The government along with private players can empower artists, help bridge industry gaps, and contribute to the overall development of the creative economy by providing support, resources, and opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Utilising existing institutions & infrastructure: 
  • Existing institutions should address the various needs of artists, such as training, professional development, material support, access to markets, public validation, and participation in larger communities and networks.
• Use of data analytics:
  • Data analytics should be used to foster creative ecosystems that contribute to a sustainable world. 
• Addressing crimes: Solutions include 
  • Increased security measures, International cooperation, Public awareness, and Advanced technology for authentication. 
    • Tackling crime in the art world will help foster a healthy creative economy. 
• Regular audits of acquired artworks can enhance trust and preserve a collection’s integrity. 

Conclusion and Way ahead

• The economic and cultural significance of art, culture, and the creative economy in India, while addressing challenges and proposing solutions, should support the growth and development of artists and artisans as a whole.