Interview with Eberhard Schrempf, the executive director of Creative Industries of Styria, Austria, after learning, through a press release, that the municipality of Graz had decided to put an end to the working group and nearly two decades dedicated to design and the added value it brought not only to society but also to the environment.
© Graphic design by Eberhard Schrempf.
What does the end of the Styrian Creative Industries mean?
It marks the end of an 18-year success story, an institution that made Styria’s creative economy visible, connected, and internationally recognized. It’s not just the closure of an organization, but the dismantling of an ecosystem that grew over many years and enabled innovation, design thinking, and cross-sectoral collaboration. A hard blow for a rapidly growing community and the entire network of creative professionals.
Who is responsible for this decision and what led them to make it?
The decision was made at a political level, within the framework of economic and location policy. Official explanations remain vague and are in no way based on a solid analysis of the achievements or impact of Styria’s Creative Industries. In the context of general budget cuts in the city of Graz and the province of Styria, different attitudes and political positions regarding design and creative industries clashed. The result was a dangerous mix of dilettantism, provincialism, and backward ignorance. All this combined with petty political power struggles triggered a chain reaction that ultimately ended in disaster. In the end, all stakeholders, political and institutional, must take responsibility.
When did you hear about the closure and from whom?
I found out through a press release, in a way that, frankly, left me speechless. The style of communication was abrupt and impersonal, symbolic of the whole process. But the hardest blow hit the entire Creative Industries Styria GmbH team: all employees were laid off simultaneously at the end of this year. A shock, both in human and professional terms.
How are you reacting to all this? Do you intend to take any action?
At first, I was perplexed, then furious. After almost two decades of building a network that put Styria on the global map of the creative economy, this is a cruel blow to everyone involved. I will continue to defend the visibility and value of creative industries, regardless of organizational structure.
Some policymakers in the European Union demonstrate an incomprehensible attitude towards design and the creative industries. Why does this happen so often?
Because design and creativity don’t fit into old political patterns. They challenge conventions and cross boundaries between culture, economics, and innovation. This leaves many decision-makers uncomfortable. It’s easier to ignore something than to understand it.
How can we assess the legacy of the work done in Graz? Is this abrupt cut a matter of ego, ignorance, or priorities?
The legacy speaks for itself. There is international recognition, measurable economic growth, a vibrant creative ecosystem, and formats that served as a European model. This decision is not rational; it is motivated by vanity, shortsightedness, and a lack of vision.
What are the consequences of this measure for the community ?
It undermines all credibility. The city of Graz has established itself as a UNESCO City of Design, a center of creative innovation. This decision damages that status and sends a signal to the world that progress and creativity are apparently dispensable here.
Could this decision be seen as a sign of distrust towards those who promote design culture?
No, it wasn’t a matter of trust. It was a political misjudgment. Our work has always been transparent and responsible; what was lacking was understanding among those who made the decision.
Does this whole cycle of innovation and mission to add value to companies have any impact on increasing job opportunities for qualified designers?
Yes! Designers are taking on more responsibility in terms of the impact they have on creating new goods. They are truly seizing this opportunity. A kind of 21st-century renaissance, a return of empathy, responsibility, and sensitivity to essential needs. They are becoming increasingly aware of the consequences their work has on others. Unfortunately, stupid clients and bad designers continue to prevail, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Many organizations within the UNESCO network face similar challenges. What is going wrong in the relationship between organizations and political or economic power?
It is a constant balancing act; it depends on political support but is expected to remain independent and visionary. When political egos and short-term interests prevail, the creative mission becomes collateral damage.
Is design culture a lost cause, or is there still hope?
Design culture will never be a lost cause. It is resilient because it is rooted in people, not politics. There will always be hope, but it also requires courage, education, and leadership that understands creativity as a strategic resource, not just decoration.
What are the worst consequences of the end of the Styrian Creative Industries?
The loss of trust, continuity, and international credibility. It is a fatal mistake in local economic policy and a complete disaster for everyone who believes in the power of creativity. It is also a profound shock to the entire creative community of the network, which contributed to building this structure over many years and had finally reached a certain “cruising speed.” The feeling of being suddenly “defeated” is profound, especially because trust is the basis of all creative collaboration. Furthermore, with this dissolution, a huge amount of know-how , established contacts, and the trust of companies that have relied on the services and networking activities of the Styrian Cultural and Creative Industries for years will be lost.
What are you currently working on and what do you hope to achieve with Mission Follows Vision?
Mission Follows Vision continues what has always motivated me: connecting creativity, business, and innovation. It’s about transforming vision into action and keeping the dialogue alive between designers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. Even when one chapter ends, the mission continues.
Interview: Tiago Krusse
Director/Editor: Tiago Krusse
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