Analyzing the “creative city” governance: Relational processes in Columbus, Ohio

Since the 1980s, the rhetoric of the “creative city” has been guiding the vision of cities around the world. Several approaches have been used to study this topic, but little attention has been given to issues of governance. This study aims to understand “creative city” governance relational processes. Specifically, it provides a neo-institutional analysis of the newly forming governance in Columbus, Ohio, examining 17 documents released in the last decade, which study the arts, culture, and creativity of the city. What emerges is that the actors involved in the process of building a “creative city” governance are from different sectors of civic society and they are getting together in the effort of assessing Columbus' potential of being a creative city.

► This study aims to understand “creative city” relational processes. ► It examines the case of Columbus, Ohio. ► It provides a neo-institutional analysis using 17 documents. ► The actors involved are from different sectors of civic society. ► They are getting together in the effort of assessing Columbus' potential of being a creative city.