According to their own web site, “Creative Chiang Mai (CCM) is an idea, vision and initiative to promote creativity and innovation in Chiang Mai. CCM’s mission is to promote Chiang Mai as a Creative City, special economic zone and creative hub. The aims are to generate economic development and diversification, attract new investment, and create new jobs and opportunities.”

This abstract concept has become a very powerful reality in Chiang Mai as this idea/vision/initiative has expanded its scopes and absorbed other projects into its momentum. From hosting the popular Chiang Mai TedX talks to organising the Chiang Mai Design Awards, pulling together data for the incredible online resource centre for handicrafts with its Handmade Chiang Mai web site through to its very ambitious creation of the Southeast Asian Creative Cities Network, Creative Chiang Mai is a powerhouse of pulling in and pooling together resources in order to get things done.

The latest initiative, Creative Mapping, has compiled an up to date online resource for all things design and artistic in Chiang Mai.

(The map shown on the right hand side of the place is STEP at Chiang Mai University, where the CCM secretariat is located.)