Creativity – the success factor
Creative industries in the Turku region
- Some 8,000 staff employed by 2,500 businesses
- Total turnover EUR 1.3bn annually
- 10% rise in the number of jobs and companies within just a few years
- Award-winning creative industry incubator Creve
- LUOVAMO – a creative industry information and careers service
- The Turku region is home to one of Finland’s most important creative industry hubs, featuring industrial design, marketing design, architecture, fashion and design, film, the gaming industry as well as restaurants and merchandising.
- Local companies include Tonfisk Design, BEDesign, Polkka Jam, MUM´s, Saana ja Olli, Infinity, Treehouse, TicBits and Rival Games.
The creative industries play a significant role in the Turku region’s economy. Creative industries account for some 2,500 businesses in the area.
Logomo is Turku’s creative industry hub. It served as the base for the 2011 European Capital of Culture events, rapidly establishing itself as one of the key cultural venues nationally. In 2013, more than 700 events took place in Logomo, attracting some 260,000 visitors.
In recent years, a number of Finnish and international audio-visual productions and films have been shot in the city. A key role in the productions is played by the West Finland Film Commission (WFFC) that operates under the auspices of the Turku Region Development Centre and can provide support in locating financial backers, pol-ishing scripts, locating venues and recruiting professionals. The WFFC works together with Turku University of Applied Sciences Arts Academy, which runs a unique and highly regarded film and television degree programme.
The Turku region is one of the biggest employers of creative industries, and invests heavily in the future of the sector.
The Turku region is also home to many industrial and creative design companies as well as shops specializing in interior design. The Fortuna Quarter, a visitor attraction, social hub and a showcase of southwestern Finnish know-how, culture and history, is currently being constructed at the Aurajoki riverfront in the centre of Turku.
Logomo Byrå brings together the creative sector
Completed in 2013, the Logomo Byrå offices are home to more than 200 creative sector professionals working for 60 different businesses. The Byrå is a completely new office concept and a business community where networking and col-laboration are integral to the business model. When professionals from a variety of complementary _ elds and specialisms are given the opportunity to network freely, it allows all those involved to tap into mutually beneficial synergies, innova-tions and new ways of delivering projects. Comprising a total of 5,000m2, the Byrå comprises offices, meeting rooms and shared creative spaces in a wide variety of different sizes. Read more: www.logomo.fi
Gaming industry driving growth
Thee gaming industry is one of the Turku region’s most rapidly growing industries. Products and innovations generated by the industry are used for consumer entertainment and also in education and healthcare settings. Currently, some 15 gaming industry companies are based in the Turku region. One such company is the Turku Game Lab, a gaming devel-opment specialist that also delivers training and events as well as R&D and testing service for local businesses in keeping with the Living Lab principle.