unesco & The Creative Cities network

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) founded the Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in 2004. Currently comprised of 295 cities in 90 countries, the UCCN is an association of urban areas around the world recognized for how they use cultural heritage and creativity as strategic factors for sustainable development. The network also supports designated cities in becoming hubs of creativity and cultural production, with increased opportunities for creators and improved public access to cultural products, and in exchanging knowledge and best practices with other Creative Cities. A city may apply to UNESCO for designation in one of seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music. The designations are monitored and reviewed every four years.

There are currently 246 designated Creative Cities in more than 80 countries around the world, including nine in the USA.

The U.S. Creative Cities

UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy

The field of Gastronomy was introduced to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in 2005. The inaugural city was Popayan, Colombia. Currently, there are 49 designated Cities of Gastronomy.