Creative industries and the boundaries of creativity: a cultural analysis of post-industrial reality

The subject of this research is the phenomenon of creative industries as a form of cultural and social organization in the conditions of a post-industrial society undergoing radical transformations. Special attention is paid to creativity, viewed not only as a source of economic value but also as a universal resource for adaptation, identity formation, individual resilience, and symbolic inclusion in the cultural environment. The analysis focuses on the processes of institutionalization of the creative economy, the transformation of the concepts of "creativity" and "industry" in the contemporary cultural discourse, as well as the expansion of the circle of subjects of creative activity. The study encompasses both artistic and non-functional forms of creativity, identifying their significance in the context of social change, digitalization, urban development, cultural inclusion, and social justice. The critical potential of creativity as a mechanism for transcending normative knowledge is also considered. The research is based on an interdisciplinary approach that combines cultural, philosophical, sociological, and anthropological analysis, using methods of comparative conceptualization, critical discourse, and interpretation of cultural practices in a post-industrial context. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the comprehensive interdisciplinary understanding of creative industries as a cultural phenomenon that goes beyond economic utilitarianism. The work substantiates the need for an expanded understanding of creativity that includes non-functional, non-commercial forms of creativity and emphasizes its role as a resource for cultural subjectivity and social inclusion. A critical interpretation of the concepts of "creative class" and "creative economy" is proposed in the context of their cultural and social heterogeneity. It is shown that in the conditions of post-industrial transformations, creativity becomes an essential mechanism for adaptation and symbolic self-expression for a wide range of actors. The conclusion is made about the necessity of a conceptual rethinking of creativity as a universal cultural code that structures not only the economy but also lifestyle, forms of employment, and new models of social solidarity.