Creative regions and the market: art, culture and regional development

Both in Australia and overseas, regional development is increasingly characterised by a `self-help¿ approach, and from the perspective of a creative writer and an anthropologist, I am continually struck by how often these `self-help¿ development approaches lead to the harnessing of local culture and identity ¿ as well as creativity and inspiration ¿ for practical regional development ends. Local communities are exhorted to be `innovative,¿ `entrepreneurial,¿ and `creative¿ in coming up with solutions to their economic, social, and environmental problems.