1. Introduction
1.1 The role of visual artists in urban economy
This analysis finds that visual artists are of particular importance, as they perform the
role of being the driving force in developing the field of Creative Industries (CIs).
Therefore the focus of the observation is a matter of creativity, innovative milieus and
their positioning in the city.
Furthermore, evidence has been found through the use of economic and socio-
cultural and demographic indicators, that the intra-regional heterogeneity influences
artists’ choice of location. With their inter-sectoral integration and cross-sector
stimulus for the settlement and formation of companies, urbanization economies
become especially apparent for the region in the examination of Berlin’s visual artists.
Based on these considerations, “the notion of creative industries” should be
elaborated on, and the difficulties in the ambivalent association with this concept
should be illuminated.
The spatial aspect elicits a different consideration.
A process of re-organization and re-structuring of specific socio-cultural and urban-
spatial requirements is associated with this. The geographical dimension of
knowledge and information und its exchange in newly-defined communication areas
thereby acquires a new meaning. Work and life spheres are increasingly
amalgamated.
Especially the artists take on a key role as spearheads of the creative process in
stimulating and generating creativity. In particular in their contribution to visual
development, they inspire other performing sectors (or cultural-products industries1)
and help to design new aesthetic, symbolic and expressive images and forms.
Creativity is an important source for change, innovation, sustainable development,
visions, future prospects and successful re-structuring. Creative processes in the
generation of a product are increasingly essential in order to successfully position
oneself as a player in the market.
The external effects of artists and CIs play a very large role. Creativity, as a location
factor, is explicitly connected to urban areas (agglomeration areas), because an urban
context does not only represent a spatial accumulation of physical capital but also a
variety of human abilities, talents and capabilities. They function as an important
1 See also Scott 1996, 2000; Power 2002.