The Pomeranian Creative Cluster is taking shape, bringing together over thirty representatives of the region’s cultural life from Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot, the Żuławy area, and Wejherowo. The second exploratory session, held on July 29, 2025, at the Institute of Urban Culture in Gdańsk, gathers participants around a symbolic round table, including representatives of municipal cultural institutions, libraries, museums, cinemas, NGOs, small businesses, and local guides.

Discussions focus on how to develop cultural and educational offers in a time when people’s availability is decreasing, how contemporary lifestyles influence leisure industries, and how audience expectations are evolving.

Dr. Krzysztof Stachowiak from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań introduces the basic concepts and challenges related to creative clusters. Unlike traditional clusters, the creative cluster thrives on unpredictability and the uniqueness of its products, constantly demanding innovation and creativity. Membership offers new contacts, partnerships, knowledge exchange, inspiration, and access to new markets, while participation in events, workshops, and networking activities fosters collaborative growth and innovation—even if financial returns are not immediate.

The Institute of Urban Culture exemplifies openness to regional cooperation, with director Barbara Sroka highlighting the need for continuous testing of projects, strategies, and approaches to reach diverse audiences. Around the symbolic round table, participants exchange experiences and insights, guided by the idea that cooperation is key. Coordinators like Agata Kozierańska-Burda emphasize that while not all problems can be solved immediately, identifying challenges and taking collective action is the essential first step.

The project is co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage under the Creative Industries Development Centre’s own program: ‘Development of the Creative Sectors’.