The seminar addresses the intimate relation between culture, production and creativity and their potential to mutual enhancement. It starts with a general reflection on creativity in its historical perspective. A special focus is giving to the cognitive groundings of creativity, both in its concrete contemporary disposition and across cultures. Creativity has gained a central function in concepts like Creative Industries or Creative Cities which establish a challenging framework in which creativity works as a means to productivity and growth. Cross fertilization between different sectors (like arts, technology and economy) and the promises of free culture characterize the dynamics of empowerment which asks both for practical understanding and critical inquiry.