UNESCO Creative Cities Network


Linz is now a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, an association of cities eager to share experiences, ideas and best practices for their cultural, social and economic development. Here’s some information about the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and the individuals who have provided sage counsel to Linz over the course of its development into a City of Media Arts.

As a worldwide alliance promoting cultural diversity, UNESCO established the Creative Cities Network to achieve the following objectives:

  • Strengthen the creation, production, distribution, and enjoyment of cultural goods and services at the local level;
  • Promote creativity and creative expressions especially among vulnerable groups, including women and youth;
  • Enhance access to and participation in cultural life as well as enjoyment of cultural goods;
  • Integrate cultural and creative industries into local development plans.

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network is an association of cities eager to share experiences, ideas and best practices for their cultural, social and economic development. Cities can apply for admission to the Network and participate in its program in order to enlarge their role as centers of creative competence and to support other cities, above all those in developing countries, to grow their own creative economy. The Network aims at developing international cooperation among cities. Once a city is appointed to the Network, it can share experiences and create new opportunities with other cities on a global platform, notably for activities based on the notions of creative economy and creative tourism.

The Creative Cities Network consists of seven Thematic Networks: Literature, Film, Music, Crafts & Folk Art, Design, Media Art and Gastronomy.