European Capital of Culture and creative industries: Real impact or unproven belief? The case of Wrocław

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) Wrocław 2016 on the growth of creative industries in the city. The research involved surveying managers of local enterprises in Wrocław's creative sectors, focusing on their opinions regarding the expected benefits of the ECoC and its potential influence on the companies' economic development in the future.

The findings indicate that most respondents believed the ECoC positively impacted local development by fostering new artistic endeavours and promoting local entertainment companies. They also perceived significant economic effects, including increased demand for cultural goods and services and increased spending on culture and entertainment. Instead, opinions on company development were primarily influenced by the long-term investment climate that involves multiple factors. The ECoC indirectly contributed to this climate by redirecting local policies towards further cultural expansion, creating a more welcoming environment for cultural industries, and triggering spillover effects in this sector.

Thus, the study argues that the ECoC title is not a direct catalyst for developing cultural industries in Wrocław. Rather, it represents the culmination of a long-term strategy to establish the city as a cultural hub, effectively enhancing this sector of the local economy.