Artists fuel innovation and problem-solving by bringing fresh perspectives, influencing the industry, and fostering innovation across sectors like technology, healthcare, and sustainability. In response to the pandemic, the shift to digital made society rethink and prioritize accessibility during the pandemic because the sector faced many challenges with in-person events. As a result, arts organizations promptly shifted their programming online, allowing the public to engage with the arts from wherever they may be. This is merely scratching the surface of a much deeper and broader impact. The creative economy holds tremendous potential to bring positive change to society, which is why it’s important to advocate for and invest in it, ensuring that we can all enjoy the benefits the creative economy offers.
The creative economy is not just about creative expression and cultural enrichment. It plays a critical role in making the places we live enjoyable, with the power to enhance our quality of life, drive social change, foster innovation, and contribute to society’s overall well-being.
The following are main reasons to welcome and embrace creative economy in Taita Taveta.
Before we discuss this reasons let us understand what is creative economy and made made up of what dimensions.
The creative economy further comprise of various knowledge-based economic activities involving tangible products and intangible intellectual assets, with economic and culture value, creative content and market objectives.
These industries include advertising, architecture, arts and crafts, design, fashion, film, video, photography, music, performing arts, publishing, research and development, software, computer games, electronic publishing and TV/radio.
so reasons lest we discuss;
- Economic Empowerment
The creative economy enables artists to turn their passions and talents into sustainable career paths that can result in more enjoyable, vibrant lives. Promoting entrepreneurship and self-employment in the community gives creative workers more agency over how they want to earn an income, leading to increased job creation and economic growth.
2. Community Development
As the economy begins to flourish, so does community development. Creativity can rebuild communities and make them more inclusive. The rise of exhibitions, museums, theaters, and music venues serves as a catalyst for attracting more tourists, therefore boosting the local economy and contributing toward the development of community, artistic expression, and entertainment for everyone who visits.
3.Social Inclusion
Social inclusion is pivotal for creating a diverse and thriving community. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to engage, contribute, and benefit from the creative sector. By utilizing creativity as a platform for change, underserved communities can express themselves, tell their stories, advocate for social change, and challenge the status quo.
4.Cultural Preservation
Let’s keep traditions and cultural values alive! What is art without the history and context behind how it came to life? Cultural preservation is key to creating diverse cultural expressions and a sense of pride and identity in a community. It also encourages communities to learn about different cultures and strengthens social bonds.
Click to this link and view some of Taita Taveta based art works like films:https://youtu.be/Mfv9pPji_8U?si=581g0AGNPiXDoEmH
Click this link and get updates on films from Taita Taveta county:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCljpIv6Dd3kxHMubYuMVdzg
5. Innovation and Problem-Solving
Artists fuel innovation and problem-solving by bringing fresh perspectives, influencing the industry, and fostering innovation across sectors like technology, healthcare, and sustainability. In response to the pandemic, the shift to digital made society rethink and prioritize accessibility during the pandemic because the sector faced many challenges with in-person events. As a result, arts organizations promptly shifted their programming online, allowing the public to engage with the arts from wherever they may be. This is merely scratching the surface of a much deeper and broader impact. The creative economy holds tremendous potential to bring positive change to society, which is why it’s important to advocate for and invest in it, ensuring that we can all enjoy the benefits the creative economy offers.
The sixth reason is far-fetched because of the situation we have in this county.
6.The wage-bill question
The burgeoning wage bill in Taita Taveta County, currently standing at 57% and poised to escalate to 60%, signifies a prevailing inclination towards traditional employment paradigms rather than fostering a culture of entrepreneurial innovation and risk-taking.
This trend underscores a pressing need to recalibrate the county's economic priorities towards sustainable development initiatives that transcend mere employment generation. Lamentably, the absence of dedicated policies and budgetary allocations aimed at nurturing the creative economy exacerbates this predicament, relegating the pursuit of creative ventures to a perilous endeavor unsuitable for the faint-hearted.
Nevertheless, amidst the fiscal strains imposed by burgeoning expenditure, there exists a beacon of hope in the form of the untapped potential of the creative economy within Taita Taveta County. With a promising success rate estimated at 85%, facilitated by the presence of influential stakeholders such as UNESCO and other supportive entities, the realization of this potential hinges upon a concerted effort to harness and monetize the rich cultural and tourism assets inherent to the region.
Therefore, while the challenges are formidable, the imperative to diversify revenue streams and foster an environment conducive to creative enterprise compels us to venture boldly into this realm, guided by a vision of sustainable prosperity for Taita Taveta County and its inhabitants.
