When it comes to measuring the impact of the creative economy, the commercial aspect very often takes the center stage. Rightfully so, too, as the name ‘economy’ suggests.
In the business aspect of the creative economy, results are numerical, thus more concrete and countable. These numbers are also the type of impact most often presented in government reports, news, and daily papers.
However, taking our focus off of 1.134,9 trillion Rupiah worth of GDP generation in 2022, we are likely to find that the creative economy contributes to more than bankrolls. Whether linked with income or not, the creative economy also very much impacts our society in intangible ways.
Bridging culture and development
If you think culture and development are two separate entities, think again.
The creative economy intertwines artistic expression with economic growth by transforming cultural diversity and creativity into tangible value. Where culture thrives, creativity is cultivated. The most obvious result would be job creations and thriving local industries, as implied by Wahyu Wijayanto, Director of Industry, Tourism, and Creative Economy at The Ministry of National Development Planning (Kementerian PPN/Bappenas) at Timeout! Special Episode “Creative Economy Now: Exploring Creative Industry’s Economic and Social Impact – An introductory session to Ekraf Academy” on Wednesday (21/08/2024).
“In terms of impact, there are three main indicators: GDP contribution, exports, and employment. These indicators are the main indicators of macroeconomics,” said Wahyu.
In just 2023, the Indonesian creative industry opened more than 22 million employment opportunities. This makes the creative economy a key driver of sustainable development.
“Creative economy is an integral part of culture,” said Ratri Ninditya, Research Coordinator at Koalisi Seni, who also spoke at the event. “Culture is seen as a means of development and an end in itself. This includes the welfare of the creative economy practitioners and how goods marketability should be retained.”
Providing a platform for diverse voices
As the creative economy thrives on culture and its inherent diversity, it provides space for different voices to be heard is thus crucial. Festivals like the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF) play a vital role in providing such opportunities by curating films that showcase the richness of different cultures and points of view.
“With the abundance of diversity in the creative economy, JAFF and other creative festivals have become a melting pot for film industry professionals (and by extension, the creative industry). It is therefore important to support creative economy festivals,” stated Program Director of JAFF, Alexander Matius.
As an international film festival, JAFF has become a stage for filmmakers from various cultures to demonstrate their talents. In 2023, they showcased 205 films from 25 Asia Pacific countries. This not only creates an opportunity for Indonesian films to be more visible to the international audience, it also makes JAFF a melting pot for assorted creative economy practitioners.
Developing community through cultural events and activities
Cultural events and activities such as the aforementioned JAFF — which also becomes a place to socialize — bring people together, inspire collaboration, and provide a platform for sharing knowledge and skills. Indirectly, this contributes to inclusive social development by encouraging dialogue between communities and honing skills.
The results? The creative industry retains its vibrancy and competitiveness.
Encouraging collaboration and strengthening connections
Last but not least, creative economy also pushes for the quintessential element of one’s career. The be-all and end-all pinnacle of adulthood (as the writer learned in her early 20s): Networking.
Arguably critical in nearly every aspect in life, networking is particularly significant in a fast-evolving field that thrives on fresh ideas, gaining visibility, and accessing resources to stay relevant.
“You can’t work alone in the creative industry,” stated Martini M. Paham, Deputy of Resources and Institutions Kemenparekraf, whose declaration was met by nods of agreement from the audience. “Networking is very important everywhere. What starts from a small scale like our neighborhood can take us to a global platform.”
Conclusion
Though the social and cultural impact of the creative industry may not be so easily seen, it exists around us and takes part in shaping not only our economy, but also our community at large. Intangible as they are, these positive impacts need to be further developed and intensified. A way to do so is by providing formal development programs focused on improving performance in the creative industries. Among such programs is Ekraf Academy, which was introduced by Martini during the event.
“We offer training programs such as Ekraf Academy to provide broader insights so that creative economy professionals can learn and understand global trends quickly. That way, they are able to stay relevant with international developments,” she remarked. “In addition, Ekraf Academy provides a space to discuss creative thinking, problem solving skills, and so on to hone soft skills in addition to hard skills.”
As the creative economy continues to develop, it is essential to value both its measurable economic impact and the more subtle, yet equally important, social and cultural contributions. The journey toward a thriving, sustainable creative economy lies in recognizing and supporting these aspects, ensuring that it remains a force for positive change in Indonesia and globally.
Writer : Aubrey Charissa Bhrawardhana
Editor : K. Langit Rinesti
