Vienna is not just waltzing and indulging in tradition – Austria’s sole metropolis is a vibrant interface between East and West, the city is a center of creative renewal, of technological progress and intellectual avant-garde, which is characteristic for the growth and modernity of a metropolis.
Already in 1980 futurist Alvin Toffler described in his bestseller “Future Shock” that the technologies of tomorrow don’t need millions of people who are willing to perform monotonous mechanical activities, but those who are able to find their way in a new environment, those have the future in their bones. In the era of globalization this citation is more topical then ever. To concentrate on innovative economic sectors seems to be the only strategy for Western cities to remain competitive and to considerably enhance the attractiveness as a location.
Due to the long-term and targeted support of innovation with a special emphasis on the creative industries Vienna now occupies a leading position in Europe.
The conditions in Vienna were ideal to develop to a center of the creative industries: a long tradition as a city of modernity, a vast creative and artistic potential, a sound economic environment and a social climate that supports intellectual output.
In order to specifically use and further develop these factors departure wirtschaft, kunst und kultur gmbh, a funding organization and point of contact for those active in the field of the creative industries was established in 2003.
departure addresses those creative professionals who are used to thinking and acting economically, who accept the basic rules and mechanisms of the economy and consider themselves part of the business life.
departure supports entrepreneurs and company founders active in the field of the creative industries, who want to get things moving in the city and who essentially contribute to the prosperity of the metropolis of Vienna – people for whom it is a concern to bring some international cultural and economic flair to the city and thus to strengthen the innovative power of an entire region.
Outstanding ideas and visionary projects with high demands as regards contents and economic focus are the core elements of departure funding.