Creative Work and Public Policy

Abstract

In post-industrial society, creativity has become a universal remedy for a range of societal challenges. Policymakers increasingly design policies where the notion of creativity is central. This chapter takes a closer look at how policymakers seek to facilitate creative work, and why policy related to creative work assumes the form it does. The chapter draws empirically from a longitudinal study of cultural and creative industries (CCI) policymaking in Sweden as an example of the Nordic welfare state’s approach to creative work. This approach is characterised by strong public support of creativity and creative work beyond the market. The collection and generation of the chapter’s empirical data was undertaken in 2019-2021. The chapter highlights different conceptions of creative work in various policy domains and the weak support of Swedish welfare systems when it comes to income generated through creative work.