The creative economy as a driver of local development: the case of Natividade – TO

Abstract

Activities related to the creative economy are an alternative for productive insertion, differentiating themselves from other economic activities by using creative aspects to carry them out. The objective of this research was to investigate the contribution of creative economy activities to local development in the municipality of Natividade - TO. The methodology used was documentary research, based on data provided by IBGE, FIRJAN, reports, documents and databases from the municipality of Natividade and the State of Tocantins, IPHAN and Associação Comunitária Cultural de Natividade – ASCCUNA. The results showed that the exploration of some centuries-old cultural traditions of Natividade, such as goldsmithing, the production of biscuits and folkloric dances, generate employment and income, with a contribution to the economy of the municipality. However, the strong potential of the religious tourism of the three biggest festivals of the Nativitan Catholic tradition is still not explored. This limitation prevents the full development of the creative economy potential for the municipality, especially regarding the productive inclusion of the local population. The data presented in this work can support public policies to promote the consolidation of the creative economy as a relevant sector of the local economy.

Keywords: Creative economy. Culture. Local development.