Creative Skills and Digital Technologies Drive Growth

Because of its reputation as a creative city, Cape Town was chosen for a pilot study on how clusters of creative firms can drive growth (the study also includes events and skills). A cluster of 349 cultural and creative firms operating in the Cape Town metro area was located and mapped. Through telephone interviews and an online survey, researchers were able to examine the links and connections between digital technologies, innovation, intellectual property, and diversity in the cultural and creative industries. They identified an agile group of mostly small, highly innovative, firms that combine cultural and digital skills to meet market demand. The research design was partly based on a similar study in the UK’s Brighton cluster, which allowed for interesting international comparisons.