Munich is the headquarters of leading German literary publishers; this is where the Süddeutsche Zeitung is printed, the daily newspaper with the highest circulation and probably the most renowned quality newspaper in Germany; the Munich film industry generates 18% of the German turnover; Munich is also a world-class musical and cultural city with award-winning orchestras, stages and museums.
Is the essential biotope of a creative scene really the “shabby chic” of neglected neighbourhoods? Munich does not fit into this cliché. The Isar metropolis is admittedly placid and tidy. But there is a lot going on in Munich behind the scenes. That is why creative minds like to live here. And cultural and creative industries are flourishing.
Munich is the headquarters of leading German literary publishers such as Hanser, dtv, Random House and C.H. Beck; this is where the Süddeutsche Zeitung is printed, the daily newspaper with the highest circulation and probably the most renowned quality newspaper in Germany; the Munich film industry generates 18% of the German turnover; Munich is also a world-class musical and cultural city with award-winning orchestras, stages and museums. If you walk through the city with your eyes open wide you will be surprised by what you discover. For example, right in the centre of the historical old town is the MUCA, Germany’s first Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art.
Munich’s cultural and creative industries are diversified and encompass many segments, from books, art, press and advertising to music, films, design and broadcasting to the performing arts, architecture, software and games. In the four segments with the highest revenue – the film industry (18%), the book publishing industry and the art industry (10% each) as well as the advertising industry (9%) – Munich ranks high nationwide. The Bavarian capital is also up with the market leaders in the design and music sectors. Fashion is a major subsegment of the design industry and is well represented in Munich, especially with regard to training and procurement.
The diversity of sectors is Munich’s strength and unique attribute as well an important factor for stability and growth, which is backed up by the above-average turnover and employment figures in a country-wide comparison. The city’s dedicated cultural and creative industry consulting team promotes innovative approaches and ideas that often come from independent actors and small companies. To tap the full potential of creative minds, a whole portfolio of consultation services, professional development programmes as well as support in organisational and business matters and in the search for suitable premises is offered along with the holding of networking events.
Multiple creative centres spread all over Munich in former industrial buildings, barracks and market halls offer an inspiring environment to the culturally active, creative professionals and founders. In this vein the former Luitpold barracks were reawakened as the “Kreativquartier“ (Creative Quarter), providing space for experimental projects, stages, studios and open workshops, exhibitions and events.
The “Werksviertel“, a former factory site of over 38 hectares near Ostbahnhof railway station, is now a laboratory for the city of the future. Where once potato dumplings were produced, residential buildings and workplaces for thousands of people are now shooting up along with the associated infrastructure of schools, shopping opportunities, gastronomy and hotels. Music enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the opening of the new concert house for the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Former factory buildings are being turned into coworking spaces, event locations, workshops and offices: “Werk3” is evolving into a creative hotspot, and “Werk1” offers low-cost working space for the digital founder scene. The flair of the quarter, a unique combination of raw industrial charm and modern design, is to be maintained.
The Munich Creative Business Week (MCBW) is held every year in spring and underlines Munich’s role as the design capital of Germany. Every two years the Münchner Modepreis (Munich Fashion Award) is awarded to young talent as part of the MCBW.
The Medientage München (Munich Media Days) event with accompanying trade fair is one of Europe’s largest media conventions.
The highlights of the cultural calendar include the Munich International Film Festival, the Opera Festival, the Literature Festival and, of course, the Munich Biennale a.k.a. the International Festival for New Music Theatre.
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