Networked. Innovative. Growing.

The creative industries in Pforzheim and the region are diverse and the number of companies has grown steadily in recent years: around 970 companies and 5420 employees are based in the cultural and creative industries*. These companies provide impetus for digital, economic and social innovations, work in an agile and networked manner and make a significant contribution to the development of the city.

The working conditions in Pforzheim are ideal for creative professionals: reasonably priced premises and good transport links, a high quality of life, scope for creativity and an excellent infrastructure. One focus in Pforzheim and the region is on the design market - 400 companies are active in this field. Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences and the Goldsmiths' School are renowned educational establishments that strengthen the city's reputation as a design location, and the international Designers in Residence scholarship programme has also brought Pforzheim to the attention of the international design scene.

In recent years, a lively creative quarter has developed between the Faculty of Design at Pforzheim University, the EMMA - Creative Centre Pforzheim and the A.K.T. art space, which offers meeting and working space for creative professionals, students and residents. Other locations in the city, such as the Alter Schlachthof, the Kollmar & Jourdan Haus and the ROWI neighbourhood, are also attracting creative professionals and revitalising the area.
The team of the Creative Industries Department of the City of Pforzheim, based at EMMA - Kreativzentrum Pforzheim, is the point of contact for all topics relating to the creative industries and supports creative professionals in setting up and professionalising their businesses, networking or finding premises.

37 % of the creative companies in Pforzheim and the region can be attributed to the design market, while the software & games sector is particularly strong with 15 %, the architecture market with 12 % and the advertising market with 10 %.
The creative industries include all self-employed persons and companies involved in the creation, production or distribution of creative goods and services. The following 11 submarkets belong to the cultural and creative industries: music industry, book market, art market, film industry, broadcasting industry, performing arts market, architecture market, design industry, press market, advertising market and the software & games industry.

The establishment of the cultural and creative industries is a relevant economic factor - in Baden-Württemberg, for example, 31,000 companies and 230,000 employees generate a turnover of around €27 billion (3.7 % of gross value added) **. Due to its cross-sectoral way of thinking and working, the creative industries are closely intertwined with other sectors of the economy. However, it not only makes an important contribution to overall economic value creation and employment, but also provides valuable impetus for urban society and location development through numerous initiatives. In addition, the sector is regarded as a driving force for innovation and has proven to be resilient and adaptable in times of crisis, as creative professionals react particularly quickly to changing working environments and requirement profiles.

* Statistisches Landesamt Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart, 2023. Micro-enterprises subject to §19 UStG are not included.
** Report of the State Government on a resolution of the State Parliament: Here: Cultural Industries in Baden-Württemberg. Printed matter 17/639, 28.07.2021