Culture has a duality of meaning in every day use. It iseither the value system that shapes the aspirations, identity andattitudes of individuals and groups; or the way of life for aparticular group of people who are drawn together through customs,religion, language, arts, science or technology. Culture hasprinciples in common with sustainability by bestowing upon currentgenerations cultural heritage and identity, as well asresponsibility for safeguarding future cultural diversity andecological balance. This thesis suggests that cultural values are akey to sustainability and that deliberate strategies and criteriaare needed for the arts and creative industries to assistSustainable Development. The idea that culture is central tosustainable development is based on the fact that sustainability isa concept whereas culture is a human value system and a way oflife.