Reaching the Top: ‘Young Creative Professionals and their Ability to Achieve Sustainable Progression in their Career Pathways toward High-level Positions in CCIs’

The cultural and creative industries (CCI) have become a focal point of inquiry, particularly concerning young creative professionals with ethnic backgrounds trying to progress within their careers, and trying to obtain high-level positions in the CCI. Therefore, this study explores the composition of top-tier roles within CCIs, considering factors such as age, ethnicity, gender, and race. Specifically, it investigates whether certain demographic profiles influence opportunities to attain positions such as creative director of a magazine or head curator at established institutions such as Het Amsterdam Museum. While terms such as ‘innovation’, ‘inclusivity’, and ‘diversity’ permeate the creative industry, their implementation often falls short. Despite being heralded as the future of the creative industry, young professionals encounter barriers in accessing highlevel positions, traditionally occupied by elderly white individuals. Despite the Arts Plan policies of the Gemeente Amsterdam (2020: 2023) have made inclusivity and diversity within their creative sector their main points of focus, it remains to be seen if there are routes to sustainable employment progression in CCIs for young professionals (YP). Moreover, the circumstances of living in a neoliberal city such as Amsterdam where there is a cost of living crisis going on, making it fairly difficult for Dutch young creative professionals to locate and operate from the Dutch capital where the primary and largest creative ecosystem is situated (Lindner & Meissner, 2012; Peck 2011). Despite the many studies that have been conducted on the topic of diversity and inclusivity of creative professionals in CCIs, no research has been done on the impact of Amsterdam’s economic conditions on career advancement for young creatives. Therefore, this research is dedicated to illuminating the key factors that influence these particular situations for YP’s in Amsterdam. Drawing from existing academic studies, municipal policy plans, and the experiences of creative workers aged 23 to 60 in Amsterdam, this research identifies the challenges and opportunities faced by young professionals in the CCI. This study holds implications for YP’s, policymakers, higher education institutions, and commercial and non-commercial companies and organizations that are part of the bigger scope of the CCI. This study recognizes the potential of the young generation to drive innovation and change within cultural organizations and advocates for policies that support their inclusion and advancement within the industry.