CREATIVE ARCTIC: TOWARDS MEASURING ARCTIC’S
CREATIVE CAPITAL
Andrey N. Petrov
This paper presents the key findings of the Creative Arctic Project. It focuses on the geography of creative capital and
assesses its ability to foster economic development in the Arctic as an alternative or complement to recourse-based
development. The study describes a theoretical conceptualization of the creative capital in the Arctic and provides
further insights into the role of the creative capital in the Arctic economy. The paper explains methodologies and
analytical tools (systems of measures/indicators) for the analysis of the creative capital as a factor of economic
transformation in non-central regions. The study explores and compares geographic patterns of creative capital in the
Arctic using spatial analysis techniques and data from all Arctic countries, as well as from two in-depth case study
areas: northern Canada and Alaska. It also identifies Arctic regions and communities with sufficient creative capital,
where further policy and place-specific studies could be conducted.
The findings suggest that some characteristics of the creative capital observed in Arctic communities are similar to those
found in southern regions, whereas others are distinct. In the Arctic, the synergy between cultural economy,
entrepreneurship and leadership appear to be more important in characterizing creative capacities that formal
education. The geographic distribution of the creative capital is uneven and favors economically, geographically and
politically privileged urban centers. However, some remote regions also demonstrate considerable levels of creative
potential, in particular associated with Aboriginal cultural capital (artists, crafters, etc.). A number of Arctic regions
– creative ‘hot spots’ – could become the test sites for implementing alternative strategies of regional development based
on creative capital, knowledge-based and cultural economies.
Background: Creative Capital and Alternative Strategies of Economic
Development in the Arctic
The literature has well documented that Arctic economies are marginal, vulnerable, structurally
truncated and functionally dependent (Agranat 1992; Bone 2009; Bourne 2000; Rea 1968; Petrov
2012). The apparent inability of marginal regions to take advantage of new economic opportunities,
especially those provided by the knowledge economy, received different explanations. Under the
Andrey N. Petrov is an Associate Professor at the University of Northern Iowa, USA.