According to the DCMS, the creative industries cover a large range of sectors. Industries such as advertising, architecture, museums, IT and software development feature, as well as areas more commonly associated with the creative arts: film, TV, music, and the performing and visual arts.
These different sectors work in very different ways. Some are funded by the public; others operate as profit-driven businesses. They also vary wildly when it comes to risk, how much money is needed to get started, and the way people work. For example, self-employment is much more common in film, TV, music, or the performing arts than in other sectors.
The blanket term 'creative industries' obscures important distinctions between these different sectors. This lack of differentiation makes it more difficult to provide targeted support to those who face the greatest challenges - particularly freelancers and independent creators working in these fields.
How The Creator Economy Differs
The Creator Economy is made up of individuals and small groups who build businesses by producing their own content, products and services. These creators - filmmakers, writers, musicians, artists - earn money by connecting directly with audiences through digital platforms like YouTube, Patreon, Indiegogo and Bandcamp.
In this world, creators make money through subscriptions, sponsorships, merchandise, brand partnerships, memberships and paid communities.
These creators often work as micro-businesses or freelancers, rather than as employees in large institutions. In this sense, the Creator Economy complements rather than competes with the film, TV, music and performing and visual arts sectors as defined by the broader term of Creative Industries.
Find out more about Reading's high concentration of fast-growing creative businesses and skilled workers
Local businesses and tech creators supplying the Creator Economy City of the Future
