Creative Europe presents the main results of a three year empirical and conceptual investigation into the challenges and practical problems of creative artists and other cultural actors from all corners of the continent. Since most creators are part of a "value chain", their professional outlook is shaped, in addition to public actors and policies, by strategies of larger and smaller commercial companies. In this context, the first part of the study investigates and compares market conditions and frameworks which are relevant both for the culture industries and independent artists.