Much has been achieved for Styria as a creative location and for the creative industries in the region over the past 18 years. But creative industries — which have long played a cross-cutting role in the Styrian economic strategy — will remain significant in the years to come. To ensure this, the responsibilities for creative industries will henceforth be carried forward by Steirische Wirtschaftsförderung SFG, the City of Graz and the Styrian Economic Chamber. Together, they will initiate a transformation aimed at positioning the creative industries even more cross-sectorally and raising greater awareness of the economic relevance of creative methods.
To mark the transition in organisational responsibility, SFG Managing Director Christoph Ludwig, City Councillor Kurt Hohensinner and Styrian Economic Chamber Vice President Gabriele Lechner — speaking on behalf of the shareholders of Creative Industries Styria GmbH — take a look at the future of the creative industries in Styria.
“Creative Industries Styria has made a valuable contribution to Styria’s cluster success story for nearly 20 years. While CIS GmbH is now ceasing its operations, the topic remains of great importance to us at Steirische Wirtschaftsförderung SFG. We are therefore pleased to take on and further develop the creative industries agenda within our organisation. Among other things, we will place even greater emphasis on economic support and the strengthening of competitiveness among our businesses, in connection with both established and emerging areas of strength in the region.”
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Christoph Ludwig Managing Director, Steirische Wirtschaftsförderung SFG |
“Although I was a strong advocate for preserving the existing structure of Creative Industries Styria, it was ultimately the budgetary decisions of the City of Graz that led to the current restructuring of CIS. Even with these changes, I continue to fully support CIS and its goals — no matter what the future holds. Together, we will find new ways to strengthen the creative scene in Graz and seize new opportunities. My sincere thanks go to everyone who works with passion and dedication on this important mission.”
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Kurt Hohensinner City Councillor for Economic Affairs, Education and Sport |
“Supporting the creative industries is a top priority for the Styrian Economic Chamber. The realignment of CIS under the new circumstances represents an opportunity to do so. Going forward, the creative industries will take an even more cross-sectoral approach to their offerings. The goal must be to establish systematic awareness of the economic importance of creative methods — enabling the development of solutions that are effective across all sectors and company sizes, and thereby strengthening the economy as a whole. The added value must lie both in networking the creative industries with all sectors and in clearly defining a thematic focus that is always tied to business.”
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Gabriele Lechner Vice President, Styrian Economic Chamber (WKST) |
Building on the work of the past 18 years, these stakeholders aim to initiate a transformation and to position the topic of creative industries and related services in an even more cross-sectoral way. At the same time, they will systematically raise awareness of the economic value of creative methods. Through this further development, solutions will emerge that will have an impact across industries and business sizes — thereby becoming even more effective in serving the wider economy.
