The Creative Wealth of Nations
Can the Arts Advance Development?

Demonstrates how we can, and why we should, apply the arts in development to promote meaningful economic and social progress.

Patrick Kabanda (Author), Amartya Sen (Foreword by)

9781108423571, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 17 May 2018

346 pages, 5 b/w illus. 10 tables
23.5 x 2.1 x 15.7 cm, 0.61 kg

'The distinguishing feature of this book is that while other studies have been concerned mainly with general principles and broad evidence, Kabanda starts from an intensely personal experience as a musician who grew up in a poor suburb in Uganda and blends the insights gleaned from that experience with broader considerations. This blending of the personal with the general brings a distinctive flavour of passion and authenticity to the book that renders the experience of reading it highly enjoyable and richly rewarding at the same time.' S. R. Osmani, Journal of Human Development and Capability

Development seen from a more holistic perspective looks beyond the expansion of material means and considers the enrichment of people's lives. The arts are an indispensable asset in taking a comprehensive approach toward the improvement of lives. Incorporating aspects of international trade, education, sustainability, gender, mental health and social inclusion, The Creative Wealth of Nations demonstrates the diverse impact of applying the arts in development to promote meaningful economic and social progress. Patrick Kabanda explores a counterintuitive and largely invisible creative economy: whilst many artists struggle to make ends meet, the arts can also be a promising engine for economic growth. If nations can fully engage their creative wealth manifested in the arts, they are likely to reap major monetary and nonmonetary benefits from their cultural sector. Drawing from his own experience of the support music provided growing up amidst political and economic turmoil in Uganda, Kabanda shows us the benefits of an arts-inclusive approach to development in Africa, and beyond.

Foreword Amartya Sen
Prelude
Acknowledgements
Overture: from sustainable to meaningful development: the role of the arts
Part I. The Arts, The Economy, and Development: 1. An untapped and unmeasured economy: on the value of the arts
2. Arts in education: cultivating creative minds for development
3. The arts and environmental stewardship
Part II. Trade in Services: A Three-Part Suite: 4. International trade in cultural services
5. Artists without borders in the digital age
6. On cultural tourism
Part III. Variations on a Theme: 7. The unsettled question of women in the performing arts
8. The arts in mental health, social healing, and urban renewal
Part IV. Rondo: A Round-Up of Data
9. Creative data collection
Finale:on imagination and choice
Annexes
Notes
Glossary of selected musical terms
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Development economics & emerging economies [KCM], Comparative politics [JPB], Development studies [GTF], The arts: general issues [AB]