The challenges of the creative and cultural industries

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and recent extreme weather events are forcing us to rethink absolutely everything. Year after year, we are becoming increasingly aware of our vulnerability as a human species. The year 2020 is coming to a close, leaving us with an uncertain and challenging outlook; therefore, we must reflect on the available alternatives and implement measures that will enable a swift and effective recovery, as well as the revitalization of various productive sectors. In this regard, the orange economy and the creative and cultural industries (CCI) play a decisive role in the post-COVID-19, post-ETA, and post-IOTA recovery. The CCI, like most productive sectors, were drastically affected. However, their adaptability and transformation during this time must be highlighted. Creativity and the capacity for reinvention have played a fundamental role in their survival. Over these past months, we have introspectively analyzed, as citizens of our “common home,” what our responsibility is toward it. The conclusions will vary; nevertheless, the vast majority will agree that substantial changes must be made in health, education, housing, and environmental protection. The complexity of today’s problems demands that they be studied from multiple perspectives. To address the challenges we face, it is necessary to examine and understand the interconnections between systems.