Massachusetts defines the creative industries to include without limitation the many interlocking industry sectors that center on providing creative services such as advertising, architecture or creating and promoting intellectual property products such as arts, film, computer games, multimedia, or design.
| Marketing | Advertising and marketing agencies and professionals |
| Architecture | Architecture firms and architects |
| Visual Arts + Craft | Museums, galleries, curators, artists, artisans, and makers |
| Design | Product, interior, graphic, and fashion design firms and designers |
| Film + Media | Film, animation, TV, and radio businesses, organizations, and talent |
| Digital Games | Companies, programmers, and individuals producing games |
| Music + Entertainment | Venues, theatres, producers, and musicians and performers |
| Publishing | Print or electronic businesses and content creator, editors, and writers |
To learn more about the creative industries: click here to check out our FAQ section!
Launched the "We are the Creative Industries Series" on Boston.com Global Business Hub
Creative Industries connecting the creative dots, by Helena Fruscio
A digital game designer in Cambridge is getting ready to launch a new addictive smartphone game, a furniture designer in Northampton is making showpieces for an upcoming convention, an artist in Haverhill is creating new product lines from his ancient art form, and an author is ready to start on his latest fantasy novel in Boylston.
While none of these people know each other and their personal and works paths likely never will cross, they do have one thing in common. They are all part of a sector I love to be a part of, the Massachusetts creative industries – a growing sector full of energy, creativity and ideas....
Are you a creative industry business owner looking for support?
Get the help you need at a CreativeNEXT Resource Meeting or Office Hours with The Creative Economy Director! Anyone can sign- up for support. The first step is to sign-up at a location near you!
Click Here to find a meeting near you!
Not sure of the resources available to your business?
The Commonwealth has existing resources to help your creative business thrive. We can help you grow your business through programs and services, including financing, site selection, export promotion, help for entrepreneurs, and tax incentives and more.
Click Here to visit our resources page!
Find a job in the creative industries!
Learn more about a list of local and national web sites which list jobs in the Creative Economy.
Click here to visit our job posting page!
Want to know how to strengthen creative industry businesses in your community?
State Launches Creative Economy Network
Applications now open for industry organizations
The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development is now accepting applications for organizations to be a part of the newly established Creative Economy Network. The network is a regional effort to that will accelerate the economic growth of the Commonwealth’s creative industries across the state. The Network will help implement the Commonwealth’s Action Agenda to support and grow the state’s creative economy industries:
- Business Development: Generate new opportunities for the businesses, organizations, and individuals working in the creative industries. Improve access to technical assistance, expertise, mentorship, and training for companies within the creative industies by bringing coherence and integration of the available state, regional, and local resources.
- Access to Capital: Increase access to direct financial support for creative industry organizations and businesses. Help coordinate trainings and mitigate barriers to access.
- Visibility: Bring awareness and attention to the value and quality of the creative industries in Massachusetts. Develop opportunities to connect, feature, and highlight the creative industries through events, campaigns, and content generation in traditional and social media.
- Talent: Develop connections to interns and college students within the creative industries. Generate initiatives for the creative industries to access and attract entry level, middle, and upper level talent.
- Space: Survey the existing and developing convening, incubator, and working space resources available for the creative industries. Seek additional opportunities to support the development of additional space and recruit businesses to use the spaces.
Interested in being part of the Creative Economy Network? Click here to learn more.
CreativeNEXT Listening Tour
The creative industries are an important part of the Massachusetts economy, with a $1 billion statewide impact and over 100,000 Massachusetts workers. During the summer of 2012 we met with 580 creative economy companies in a statewide CreativeNEXT Listening Tour. Click here to learn more about the findings from the CreativeNEXT Statewide Listening tour!
The Massachusetts Creative Economy Council is developing a statewide strategy for the enhancement, encouragement, and growth of the creative economy in Massachusetts. There will be four meetings in 2013 and they are open to the public.
Click here to find out more about the Creative Economy Council!
