The creative economy sector has a very important role in driving economic growth in Bantul Regency. There are various craft centers, the culinary industry, as well as the tourism sector which are the lifeblood of Bantul. The existence of the creative economy sector is expected to be an investment opportunity. The creative industry itself is the result of a synergy between the tourism, agriculture and MSME sectors.
Bantul Regency has the potential to become a center of excellence in the national creative industry. Bantul is the birthplace of several artists who are driving forces in the creative sector, have formal education that supports the growth of the arts community, and is a center for small industries and community-based creative industries.
Bantul Regency cannot be separated from Yogyakarta’s history as a student city, cultural city, and tourist city. With the support of the creativity of human resources and the latest technology, Bantul Regency is able to penetrate the export market by producing high quality products.
The uniqueness and delicacy of traditional culinary delights such as ingkung chicken, klathak satay, Javanese noodles, and various other traditional dishes found in Bantul Regency and along access routes to tourist destinations make Bantul a place sought after by culinary lovers and tourist visitors. This is able to drive the local economy.
In the realm of creative creations, the people of Bantul Regency also have the courage to create works of art, such as dance, painting and graphic design, which are recognized by the international community.
Support from various dance studios such as the Kembang Sore Dance Studio, Padepokan Seni Bagong Kussudiardja, and others, as well as educational institutions such as ISI Yogyakarta and SMK Negeri 1 Kasihan (SMKI Yogyakarta), have contributed to the development of art in this area.
The creative industry and creative economy are one of the leading sectors in Bantul Regency, apart from the agriculture and tourism sectors. Currently, the craft sector is growing rapidly, as seen from the products that are local commodities or exported to various countries. Bantul Regency has various industries, such as the handicraft industry, where 70% of handicraft products in DIY come from Bantul Regency. The industry includes ceramics, leather crafts, keris accessories, batik, bamboo crafts, batik wood, and so on.
In Bantul Regency, the craft industry has developed towards a direction that focuses on sustainability or sustainable craft. That is, the craft considers the impact that can be generated through the practice of recycle craft and upcycle craft.
More and more craft workshops in Bantul Regency are using used goods, even trash. With a touch of creativity from the craftsmen, art installations are created that have added value.
This sustainable craft is part of a circular economy which in its function gives higher priority to environmental sustainability.