Creative Economy

It’s an exciting time for the Creative Economy Initiative. Powerful networks have developed. Important research has been completed. And the creative economy movement has extended its reach from southern Connecticut to the most rural communities of northern New England.

The transformation began in January 2003, when Cathy Minehan, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, hosted the inaugural meeting of the Creative Economy Council, the industry association that is now leading New England’s Creative Economy Initiative. John Kreidler, Executive Director of Cultural Initiatives Silicon Valley, observed that the inauguration of the Creative Economy Council marked a new and exciting moment in economic development – not just for New England, but for the entire creative economy movement. For the first time, leaders from the business, cultural and political communities of each of New England’s states came together to recognize the compelling message of the creative economy movement – that economic development must include investment in creative industries, a creative workforce and community life that is rich in creativity and cultural heritage.

Across New England many other gatherings followed that luncheon. Like the meeting at the bank, these gatherings brought leaders together who had never before had the opportunity to develop strategies side by side. Individuals who had previously seen themselves as business only, or arts only, now began to understand that they were part of an interconnected creative economy, and their well-being depended on advancing agendas that supported creative industries, workers and communities.

These meetings also enhanced participation in communities that were previously non-participating. For example, participants from northern New England have steadily increased.

In addition to increased participation, projects are growing and more clearly defining the work of the creative economy movement. Many groups independent of the Creative Economy Council use its Blueprint, research and white papers as a foundation for their work. In Maine, Governor Baldacci, who highlighted the importance of the state’s creative economy in his inaugural address, has appointed a task force to examine the role of the creative economy in Maine’s future. A research-based collaboration is underway between the partners of the Creative Economy Council and University of Southern Maine. A conference was held in Lewiston/Auburn, Maine, on May 6 and 7, 2004, that featured innovative ideas in economic development rooted in Maine's creative economy.

In Vermont, The Vermont Council on Rural Development is sponsoring a one-year task force called the Vermont Council on Culture and Innovation. This group is hosting a series of forums across the state to assess the level of understanding in the community regarding creative economic development, to gather ideas regarding development policy and to educate Vermonters about the creative economy movement. The year-long goal of the task force will result in policy recommendations for Vermont.

Other groups have formed to discuss the creative economy and to incorporate it into existing development strategies in such areas as the Berkshires, the upper Connecticut River Valley, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Each of these efforts has been sparked or influenced by the work of the Creative Economy Council.

Alongside initiatives that focus on the development issues of specific geographic regions there are several themes that cut across geography. In May 2003, technology- focused artists (and arts-focused technologists) convened at the Boston Foundation to launch the Art and Technology Initiative. The meeting drew numerous leaders from New England’s high-tech corporations, art and technology, educational and cultural nonprofits, and leading individual artists working in new media. A number of business leaders from outside of the new media sector also participated.

Late July 2003, saw the first working meeting of the full board of the Creative Economy Council. Members gathered at Tanglewood and spent a productive day planning strategies in workforce development, market expansion, communications and governance. The meeting at Tanglewood also gave council members an opportunity to launch the new CEC website (www.creative-economy.org), as well as its new brand and logo.

The Research Initiative has also been quite active. In November 2003, the Initiative hosted a teleconference for 20 of the top creative economy researchers across New England. The meeting resulted in agreement to build a research network via an internet-based list service in order to minimize duplication, share ideas and resources and challenge one another to have useful research of the highest quality.

Members have also recently completed a lengthy, but thoughtful discussion of the organizational structure, and now have in place a strong group of leaders in each of the key industry and geographic areas, including film, design, arts and technology, markets, workforce, finance, communications and research.

Future plans for the Creative Economy Council include developing a messaging system, furthering the film initiative, launching a finance team and releasing new research findings.

• Creative Economy Report