The importance of gatekeeping processes and reputation building in the sustainability of creative milieus: evidence from case studies in Lisbon, Barcelona and São Paulo

Introduction Certain territories and experiences have stood out as ‘creative milieus’ because they offer a specific atmosphere or certain conditions required to embed and develop sustainable creative processes in cultural activities (see Camagni et al. 2004; Cooke and Lazzeretti 2007; Costa 2007; Costa et al. 2007; Lazzeretti 2009; and in a wider perspective, O’Connor and Wynne 1996; Scott 2000). Specific governance mechanisms have played a key part in most of these success cases. The aim of this chapter is to explore a specific set of conditions that fosters creative processes in these experiences, particularly those related to reputationbuilding mechanisms and gatekeeping processes, which are undoubtedly vital to the development and sustainability of these cultural and creative activities.