Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explains the changes in the 'creative city' concept, and how it has grown and what it is like in practice, and focuses on its connectivity to the cultural sector, the economy and academia. It reflects the diversity of opinions from contributors across Europe, and grounded in professional practice. The book provides researchers and pragmatists a series of real examples drawn from the structure, analysis and thinking that forms the contemporary understanding of the creative city. It illustrates the perspectives of cultural managers, educators, professionals and researchers from the creative sector across Europe. The book discusses the cultural sector at large a new reality based on the quality of contemporary creative practice. It explores the new challenges to museums, culture and the economy.