The purpose of this study shall be to present a new approach to the role of culture potential in the process of stimulation of economical development. It includes analysis and assessment of: the place of culture potential in the contemporary concepts of development, essence of economy and creative economy, positions of the European Committee and the European Parliament concerning the role of creativity and culture in the process of stimulation of regional development, positioning culture aspects in the latest Polish documents outlining long-term challenges and development priorities.