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“A Creative Future: Who will build Russia’s future economy?” 14 September 2013 State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg In July 2013, the World Bank released its figures for the national GDP of the world’s countries. The subsequent rankings reported that Russia is now the fifth largest economy in the world. This result marks the nation’s extraordinary transformation from an isolated, centrally-planned state to a globally-integrated and market-based economy. Yet, despite this achievement, Russia’s economy remains dangerously reliant on oil, gas, and commodity-based industries. For Russia to continue its economic and social development, the economy must diversify. ‘To achieve diversification of the Russian economy, it is necessary to liberate the potential of other industries and liquidate full and complete dependence on the energy sector' – Alexei Kudrin (former Russian Finance Minister). Key to achieving this diversification will be the development and support of a new cadre of innovative small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) – which economic research has shown to be a key driver of national income growth. SMEs are often overrepresented in creative industries, and offer serious potential for achieving economic diversification. In the world’s developed economies, creative industries are making an ever-greater contribution to economic output and employment – reaching 10% of economic value added in some countries. As traditional industries have struggled in advanced economies, the growth of creative industries is outpacing that of non-creative sectors. The success of creative and cultural industries in other countries could provide lessons for Russia as it seeks to develop an increasingly sophisticated and diverse economy. The green-shoots of Russia’s creative potential are already visible – and not just in Moscow – but across Russia’s many regions and time zones. Examples include the rise of successful hyperlocal media in places like Voronezh and Novosibirsk; the emergence of the influential film industry in remote Buryatia; and a renaissance in independent fashion in Saint Petersburg. Moreover, new festivals of architecture, art, and photography are helping to regenerate industrial wastelands and reinvent regional capitals. The St Petersburg State University Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Smolny College) in partnership with the Calvert 22 Foundation and the State Hermitage Museum will explore the potential of creative industries in Russia, the challenges they face, and the positive impact they can have on economic and social development. These issues will be discussed during an event scheduled for the 14th of September, to be held at the State Hermitage Museum’s new contemporary art wing. The event will mark the start of a new project, The Calvert Forum which will organise future international events, produce new research, and ultimately offer a solutions-based approach to unlocking the creative potential that could power Russia’s future economic development. By inviting leading figures from the cultural industries of Berlin, Russia, and London, the Faculty and the Calvert 22 Foundation hope to inspire new ideas for the cities and regions of Russia and to provide policy makers with key lessons derived from global best practice on how to both facilitate the growth of creative industries and leverage their success. ‘The power of cultural and creative industries to transform a city is clear in the case of Berlin. What started as a culture-driven scene evolved into a creative and entrepreneurial hub. We want to explore how Russian cities can learn from such an experience and leverage Russia’s creative potential for economic development,’ – Jonathan McClory, soft power and creative industries expert. Notes to Editors Event Format and Location The launch event will take place in the Left Wing of the State Hermitage Museum’s General Staff Building, which recently opened as a new exhibition space for modern art. The event will begin at 16:00 and we expect an audience of 400-500 people, all with an interest in the subject of cultural and creative industries. Speakers Ingrid Walther, Berlin Senate Chancellery Administration for the Economy Alexei Kudrin, Dean of Smolny College University of Saint Petersburg Mikhail Piotrovsky, Director of the State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg Jonathan McClory, Creator of the Institute for Government-Monocle Magazine Soft Power Index Robert Eysoldt, Consultant and Creative Director, Create Berlin and Triad Ekow Eshun, Editor of the Calvert Journal and former Director of the Institute for Contemporary Art, London Facts and Figures Russia’s GDP for 2012 was reported by the World Bank to be $3.3 trillion, the fifth largest in the world. http://databank.worldbank.org/data/download/GDP_PPP.pdf Calvert 22 Foundation Calvert 22 Foundation is a London-based, not-for-profit registered charity whose goal is to foster cultural dialogue between Russia, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the rest of the world. It provides an important potential link for those seeking to connect with and better understand contemporary Russia culture, from its major cities to its diverse regions. Founded in 2009 by Russian-born financier Nonna Materkova, the Foundation has established a significant presence in the international cultural landscape. It is the most prominent Russian creative project in the UK with a list of partners that includes major UK institutions such as the British Council, Tate Modern and leading British universities. The Foundation’s initiatives encompass a wide-ranging programme including art exhibitions, debates, academic exchanges, and research on the role of culture and creativity in Russia and Eastern Europe. Calvert Forum The St Petersburg State University Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Smolny College) in partnership with the Calvert 22 Foundation are launching a new collaborative think tank, the Calvert Forum, which will examine the wider role of creative industries in the 21st century economy. The Forum aims to explore the impact of creative industries on economic, social, and urban development, as well as their effect on the international perceptions of cities, regions, and nations. Over the next twelve months, the Calvert Forum will launch an ambitious programme of research projects. The Forum will publish a series of in-depth case studies of the world’s leading creative cities, exploring the key policy issues city governments face in developing and supporting a vibrant creative economy. The Forum will also investigate the impact of perceptions, place branding, and place making on cities and regions, both in terms of developing creative industries, as well as attracting talent and investment for traditional sectors of the economy. A programme of events, which will bring together experts, practitioners, and policy makers from relevant fields, will complement the Forum’s research agenda. Future events are planned for New York, Kaliningrad, Tallinn, and Moscow. For further information please contact Elena Pakhomova at [email protected]