On this rainy, cold February day, Munich's creative quarter at Leonrodplatz exudes a slightly derelict charm. Yet, this is the source of Munich's creative future. A lot is set to happen in this 20-hectare area in the coming years.
Jürgen Enninger has also recently moved here; he is the head of the Competence team for the cultural and creative industries of the city of MunichMunich Startup visited him and his team. The nine members of the team are tasked with making Munich's creatives more economically successful and supporting artists and cultural workers with questions about funding, space, and networking.
The industry and the team
Who are these cultural and creative industries? The eleven heterogeneous sub-sectors consist of the architecture market, the design and film industry, the music, press, book and art markets, the performing arts market, the broadcasting and advertising industries, and the software/games industry, as well as all related exploitation networks within these sub-sectors. The so-called "creative act" represents the unifying factor between these sectors. Their cross-sectional qualities make these cultural and creative industries bridge the gap—the sector connects industry and startups, services and skilled trades.
The team of experts itself is diverse and can thus optimally respond to the needs of the scene: documentary filmmaker meets real estate manager meets lawyer meets cultural economist. Jürgen Enninger, who most recently advised Bavarian creatives on their business opportunities on behalf of the federal government and was formerly the managing director of a record company, says:
"The industry is very much about self-realization. But cultural and creative professionals also work in economic contexts. These must be made aware of and addressed competently. Therefore, the need for orientation sessions is high."
Although the industry is very well positioned, Munich is growing above average and Munich ranks first in Europe, as a recently published study showed: There is still a lot of work to be done for the competence team.
The five largest Challenges of the scene According to Enninger
- to show more appreciation for creative work,
- to give more visibility to cultural and creative industries,
- to form relevant and cross-sector networks,
- to provide improved space for cultural and creative industries and
- to create an easily accessible contact person from the scene for the scene.
“Drop-off point for absurd space offers”
The last point on the list – check. Because with the competency
enzteam was a – as Enninger says – “outstretched hand towards the scene” The experts primarily provide tips on the path to professionalization and the imparting of "entrepreneurial know-how," point out funding opportunities, help in the search for workspace, and also support the activation of vacant rooms and areas for creative interim uses. Accordingly, the team sees itself as “Disposal point for absurd space offers and as a space problem solver”, Events and meetups like the team's monthly get-together are intended to strengthen Munich's creative network. In addition to industry hearings to better understand value chains, event formats like "Meet the Company" are also planned.
A typical case for the Cultural and Creative Industries Competence Team
What does a consultation look like in concrete terms? A "typical case" would cover topics such as customer acquisition, defining the product or service more precisely, or demonstrating what an invoice should look like. "Pricing and a healthy sense of self-confidence regarding one's own performance are huge topics. We often encounter the prejudice that business administration is evil. Our job is to translate business vocabulary into the vocabulary of the industry." adds Enninger.
Space for creatives – the creative quarter
And a few more words about the creative quarter and its future: The area is divided into four sub-districts. The core is the "Creative Lab," where the competence team is also located. Here, an urban mix of uses including culture, the creative industries, housing, social services, commercial, and retail is being sought in old and new buildings.
The "Kreativpark" subdivision will also be primarily used for cultural and creative industries. The two listed, currently vacant halls – the Jutierhalle and the Tonnenhalle – will be renovated and then used accordingly. However, it may take some time before this happens.
To complete the concept, a new start-up and innovation center is to be built southwest of the Tonnenhalle (Munich Startup reportedThe Munich City Council approved the plan in mid-February. The creative quarter will be completed by the "Creative Platform," an extension of the University of Applied Sciences, and the "Creative Field," a green residential, work, and primary school location.
Anyone interested in consulting the municipal Competence team for the cultural and creative industries of the city of Munich If you have any questions, please contact kreativ@muenchen.de to arrange an appointment.
