A Portrait of Creative Entrepreneurship and the Creative Economy in Canada

Executive Summary

Creative work, defined as “the work involved in the production of symbolic, artistic and innovative products within […] creative industries,” and the creative economy more broadly, is a significant sector in Canada and abroad and a major contributor to national gross domestic product and economic development. It can spur innovation and knowledge transfer across all sectors of the economy, creating both commercial and cultural value and generating revenue through trade and intellectual property rights. It can create experiences, contribute to vibrant nightlife or daytime culture, and provide entertainment, beauty, discomfort, and awe. At the individual level, arts and culture can encourage reflectiveness, empathy, understanding, health and well-being, civic engagement, and support education and learning. As OCAD researchers Alia Weston, Sara Diamond, Rachna Kuamr, Royen Dion-Van, and Markus Gordon describe: cultural contexts, content, and activities can create a sense of identity, engagement, and relationships within and between communities, resulting in rich civic benefits and human bonds.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions notes that the cultural and creative industries are essential for inclusive economic growth, reducing inequalities, and achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2018 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Creative Economy Outlook recognized that the sector is critical for fostering inclusive development and as an input into other small and medium-sized enterprises.