Bangkok is gearing up to welcome the all-new Thailand Creative and Design Centre (TCDC) on May 5, along with a raft of other new creative projects that includes Warehouse 30 (the sister creative complex of the Jam Factory) and Chang Chui (Thonburi's first creative hub). But it's not just about the capital.  

 

The soon-to-open northeastern outpost of TCDC is a modern contemporary building that takes over 1,500 sq meters of land which belongs to Khon Kaen University. Its core missions remain similar to Bangkok's TCDC only with a local focus: to create a center of Isaan-design knowledge and information through a design-centric resource library and co-working space, forward-thinking art exhibitions and workshops, and a strong database of Isaan designers, handicrafts and local arts.

 

It’ll also provide a resource of quality and locally sourced silk, cotton and ceramics through its "Isaan Material Center" for the benefit of local designers, makers and aritsts. 

 

Finally, TCDC Khon Kaen will also offer consulting for creative businesses through seminars, talks and practical training for entrepreneurs, with a special emphasis on how to capitalize on Isaan's unique culture through branding and digital platforms.

 

As we've seen with the success of TCDC Chiang Mai and events such as Chiang Mai Design Week, the design resource's efforts to foster a creative economy in Thailand have been moving from strength to strength.