Creative Industries Cluster launched in Lowcountry

New Carolina: South Carolina’s Council on Competitiveness has launched a new Creative Industries Cluster and located it in the Lowcountry. The launch culminated Wednesday with a Pecha Kucha Night event in Charleston.

New Carolina’s main goal is to create clusters of businesses in a region to focus on a particular industry, with the intended result being to sponsor business growth, attract higher-paying jobs and advance South Carolina’s economy.

The Creative Industries Cluster focuses on areas such as preservation and restoration, cultural heritage, architecture and urban design, performing arts, visual arts, culinary arts, literature and publishing, and digital media and design.

“The clustering strategy has proven to add value because companies within clusters come together to increase efficiency and innovation within that industry, while boosting the overall economy in their region,” says New Carolina’s Executive Director George Fletcher.

New Carolina Change Agent Beth Meredith says that the Creative Industries Cluster has been launched to further enhance an industry that already has a strong presence in the Lowcountry.

“We wanted to shine the light on the fact that creative industries are a major economic driver in the Lowcountry,” Meredith said. “Companies in this nontraditional industry are thriving, starting businesses that create jobs, and attracting like-minded people to the area.”

This was evidenced at Pecha Kucha Night, Wednesday at Memminger Auditorium. Though it was the first event of its kind in Charleston, Pecha Kucha has been held in 135 cities worldwide. Japanese for “sound of conversation,” Pecha Kucha is a forum for creative people to meet, network and show their work.

In Charleston’s Pecha Kucha Night, nine presenters displayed 20 slides for 20 seconds each, focusing on any topic of their choosing. Presenters were from the fields of graphic design, advertising, visual and performing arts, literature, architecture, and urban planning.

The event sold out, with more than 200 people in attendance.

To learn more about New Carolina, visit newcarolina.org .