Informing. Connecting. Inspiring. Creative Olomouc.

Mission

Creative Olomouc explores, educates, discusses, connects, consults, informs and promotes cultural and creative scene in Olomouc and Olomouc region and strives to conceptualize it.

Vision

The vision of Creative Olomouc is for the cultural and creative sectors to develop, cooperate and become a respected and high-profile area of business, the image of the city and social life in Olomouc.

About us

Creative Olomouc is one of few subjects that in the long term continuously maps the cultural and creative sectors (CCSI) in the Olomouc region.
Our main partners are Olomouc City Council and the Regional Authority of the Olomouc Region, furthermore we cooperate with other decision makers and related initiatives that are focused on the topic (not exclusively) in the Czech Republic.
We are in close contact with representatives of CCSI whose interests we can represent. We understand the nationwide and European context of this field.
In 2021 Members of Creative Olomouc actively participated in the development of the strategies of the city of Olomouc and the Olomouc region and to this day continue to be active in work groups dedicated to the preparation and evaluation of Action Plans for individual years derived from the strategies. The cooperation on the strategies also resulted in Creative Olomouc’s participation in the workgroup Regional Innovation Platform for CCSI, through which Creative Olomouc acts as a representative of Olomouc creatives and a mediator (bridge) between public authorities and creatives.

History

Creative Olomouc originally started in 2015 as a platform for presentation of the project Mapping of CCSI in Olomouc (2015-2017). After its completion, it retained its function as a stable base for all activities related to the support of CCSI development that originated from the Palacký University through follow-up projects. In March 2020, the platform was registered in the public register as the Kreativní Olomouc, z. s. and thus officially institutionalized.

Database of creators

Creating, inspiring, living – in Olomouc

In May 2020, a revised Database of Cultural and Creative Subjects in Olomouc was published in connection with the Supporting Creative Olomouc campaign. Main objective of the database is to centrally register all entities involved in the CCSI in Olomouc for the needs of the professional public, local government, as well as the general public demanding products and services of the cultural and creative sector in order to strengthen awareness of the local creative network and deepen practical contacts across the sphere. The basis of the database was already established as part of the mapping of CCSI in Olomouc in 2017 – the verification and updating of entries is still ongoing.

Research

2023-2024 Mapping of Olomouc region

New phase of mapping of CCSI in the Olomouc region started in the summer of 2023. The mapping was initiated by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and the intention is to map the situation in the whole Czech Republic based on individual regions. The aim of the survey is to map the situation in various areas of the CCSI within individual regions – unified methodology of conducting the survey will allow for a comparison between the regions of the Czech republic (or possibly the whole European union). Based on the results the Ministry of Regional Development (together with other concerned ministries) plans to better target support within the sector.

More information: https://www.inovaceok.cz/projekt/mapovani-kulturnich-a-kreativnich-odvetvi-kko

2019- 2020 Research on the motivations of CCSI actors

The research focused on the analysis of the current local situation in the Olomouc agglomeration and especially on measures to prevent brain drain and leaving of talented individuals and human capital and to create conditions for the creation of start-ups and support for development in this area. The research focused on the analysis of the current local situation in the Olomouc agglomeration and especially on measures to prevent brain drain and leaving of talented individuals and human capital and to create conditions for the creation of start-ups and support for development in this area. It outlines the threats and limits faced by creatives within the agglomeration. An important premise of the publication is that the creative industries are a vital component of the economy and can significantly contribute to the future competitiveness of the region in domestic and foreign markets. The publication serves as a good basis for the overall orientation of the CCSI in the Olomouc agglomeration, for our future activities the most important points are the ones related to Creative Olomouc.

2016 Preparation of universities for the adaptation of the needs of CCSI

In 2016, eleven universities cooperated within the centralized development programme of the Ministry of Education, coordinated by Palacký University in Olomouc.

2017 Mapping of the Olomouc district

In 2016, we collected and sorted key information on sectors where culture, creativity and the economy interact. This gave us a comprehensive picture of the sectors we were covering, including performing arts, audiovisual, architecture, arts and crafts and graphic design. Through mapping we established the number of subjects, their image, employment or geographical distribution in the Olomouc district.

Strategy

Strategy for the development of CCSI of the city of Olomouc in 2022-2027

Strategy for the development of CCSI of the city of Olomouc in 2022-2027 was created with the participation of CCSI representatives (members of the cultural communities had the opportunity to participate in public discussions). The strategy pinpoints all the strong and weak points, opportunities and challenges that culture in olomouc is facing. Furthermore it defines three main pillars for further development: European image, community and accessibility of resources.

Framework for development of culture, creativity and heritage protection of the Olomouc Region for the period 2022-2029

Framework for development of culture, creativity and heritage protection of the Olomouc Region for the period 2022-2029 describes the development activities of the listed domains in the region. It understands culture in a broader sense in the context of the socio-economic development of the region, not only as a cultural and artistic programme. The concept is not just an instrument of the region, but it represents a common ground for agreement, cooperation and coordination of the actors in the region.

Olomouc region RIS3 strategy

The RIS3 strategy of the Olomouc Region is a key document for sustainable development and strengthening the competitiveness of the Olomouc Region in the field of research, development and innovation (R&D&I). It provides guidance for all relevant actors on the direction the Olomouc Region should take and where to direct its resources.

Mapping

What is mapping of CCSI

In this case mapping does not refer to the actual process of creating maps but rather analyzing certain phenomena in a certain area. The main objective of CCSI mapping is to determine the current state, structure and dynamics of the CCSI sector in a given region. It is clear that certain sectors are stronger and more important and that the dynamics and needs of each are different. Obtained knowledge has an important role in the design of supportive measures for the CCSI and contributes significantly to the formulation of local and regional development strategies.

Mapping of CCSI in Olomouc region in 2015-2017

In 2015- 2016, we collected and sorted key information on sectors where culture, creativity and the economy interact. This gave us a comprehensive picture of the sectors we were covering, including performing arts, audiovisual, architecture, arts and crafts and graphic design. Through mapping we established the number of subjects, their image, employment or geographical distribution in the Olomouc district.

The focus was also put on the works, products and services produced by the monitored sectors. We looked at the interrelationships between the entities or their links to secondary schools, universities and public administration. Furthermore we were interested in how to improve the conditions under which the companies operate.

The mapping was done by a team consisting of representatives of Palacký University, the Statutory City of Olomouc and the CCSI. The basis of the joint activity was a Memorandum of Cooperation on Mapping Cultural and Creative Industries in Olomouc. The document regulated the objectives and commitments of the participating actors. The mapping was financed from the budgets of the university, the city and partly from the Olomouc Region.

The output of the mapping is a publication – a red brochure – Cultural and Creative Industries in Olomouc, which summarizes all the findings.

Why did we start mapping of the CCSI in Olomouc

Olomouc was one of the first cities in the Czech Republic to obtain a comprehensive overview of how significantly the CCSI contribute to its economic profile and what their potential is for the development of the city and the entire agglomeration (the territory of the former Olomouc district).

The information gathered about the strength of the CCSI was used by the city to improve the position of businesses and the mapped area was also linked with local tourism. The results of the mapping have been taken into account, for example, in the Strategic Development Plan of the City of Olomouc and the Olomoucko microregion.

Gathered information was also reflected in the innovation of study programmes of secondary schools and universities that are attended by students whose interests are art and creative activities.

DESIGN Catalogues

In 2020 Palacký University launched an edition of DESIGN catalogs with the subtitle Creative Olomouc, through which it intends to adequately promote elite actors of creative industries operating in the Olomouc region. The DESIGN a series of promotional catalogs containing a representative selection of top design. In addition to a high-quality visual presentation, its website offers texts in both Czech and English and is available not only in print but also online. Moreover, it is an explicit support for talented artists, companies and entrepreneurs and an incentive towards the public to take into account quality local production with high added value and to notice elite creatives working in Olomouc and its vicinity who deserve more consistent recognition.