Scotland’s cultural and creative entrepreneurs are being sought to follow in the footsteps of Hollywood A-lister Kevin Spacey and present their work on the world stage.  The event, known as Creative Clusters 2008, is in Glasgow from November 17 to 20.

The highly influential conference – which makes its Scottish debut in Glasgow in November – is putting an urgent call out for more Scottish voices to add their weight to the growing global debate on far-reaching challenges posed by the rise-and-rise of the creative economy.

The event, which will welcome 400 high-ranking arts/academia/business/government delegates from 35 countries, is now a recognised world think tank that influences thinking everywhere from the United Nations to the Guggenheim Foundation in Bilbao.

Conference organisers are urging local cultural and creative leaders who can contribute to the three day event to put forward their ideas urgently – the closing date is Monday, May 19.

Creative Clusters 2008 is set to debate everything from the rise of file-sharing and You Tube to the shape of Glasgow’s creative economy in 2028 following the city’s early investment in cultural regeneration, which started 20 years ago with the Garden Festival.

Simon Evans, Creative Clusters director, said: “We are keen to ensure Scotland’s creative and cultural sector maximises the opportunities offered by the conference to access international networks.

“Creative Clusters gives Scotland’s creative and cultural champions an unrivalled opportunity to present their achievements to the global market place.

“We believe the new thinking provoked by Creative Scotland and the Scottish Broadcasting Commission provides the perfect context for a uniquely Scottish contribution to the global discussion on the creative economy.”

Creative Clusters 2008 is set to discuss five themes: ‘the creative economy in smaller nations’; the moving image goes on-line’; ‘policies for festivity’; ‘leadership in the creative economy’ and ‘the long story of Glasgow’s creative economy’.

The event is backed by the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, Glasgow Concert Halls and Scottish Arts Council.

Ian Munro, co-director of arts at Scottish Arts Council, said: “The Scottish Arts Council is delighted to be a major partner in bringing Creative Clusters to Scotland. The timing and conference themes are highly relevant as we move towards the creation of Scotland’s new lead cultural development organisation, Creative Scotland, anticipated in 2009.”

Creative Clusters was launched in Sheffield in 2002 and has grown to become the most influential conference of its type in the world.

Last year’s London event included Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey presenting to delegates on his experiences at the helm of the Old Vic.

Further details on how to take part in the conference can be obtained at http://www.creativeclusters.com