Strategizing the Creative Industries Development Conceptual Foundations in the Kemerovo Region — Kuzbass

Relevance. The relevance of the study is due to the global recognition of creative industries as one of the strategic trends in sustainable development. The Kemerovo Region Kuzbass is implementing strategic initiatives to reform and form the creative economy sector. However, there is open data and comprehensive research shortage on the state and creative regional industries development. In this regard, a scientific understanding of the current state, identification of strategic opportunities and threats, as well as the development of practical mechanisms of Kuzbass creative economy systemic strategizing process are required.Objective. The objective of the study is to analyze the current state and strategic creative industries development prospects in the Kemerovo Region Kuzbass, as well as to develop a conceptual model and strategic priorities aimed at forming a systematic approach to regional creative economy strategizing process.Tasks. To analyze the theoretical and methodological foundations of the creative industries concept. To assess the current state of creative industries in the Kemerovo Region Kuzbass based on open-source data and all-Russian rankings. To identify systemic problems and limitations in the creative regional sector development. To formulate strategic priorities of creative industries development in the region. To develop a conceptual model of the Creative Industries Center of Kuzbass as a tool for implementing strategic priorities.Methodology. The article is based on the theory of strategy and the methodology of strategizing process developed under the scientific guidance of Foreign Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Life-time), Dr. Sc. (Econ.) V. L. Kvint. The methods and techniques include systemic, comparative and logical analysis, the principles of the dialectical-materialistic method of cognition, and an integrated approach are used.Results. The theoretical foundations of the creative industries concept are identified. An OTSW analysis is carried out, revealing key opportunities (institutionalization of the sector, development of digital platforms), threats (high competition, brain drain), strengths (presence of strategic documents, cultural heritage), weaknesses (low diversification, lack of open statistics). Five strategic priorities are formulated. A conceptual model of the Creative Industries Center of Kuzbass is developed as a structure operating on the “one-stop shop†principle, including incubators, accelerators, consulting support, advanced training and competency mapping.Conclusions. The Kemerovo Region Kuzbass is in the active phase of institutional formation of the basis for the strategic development of creative industries. The proposed conceptual model of the Creative Industries Center of Kuzbass, integrated with the launched regional support institutions (registry, platform), allows the implementation of the formulated strategic priorities.