What is the Creative Capacity Strategy?

The purpose of the Creative Capacity Strategy is to build and support a sustainable creative community through prioritized strategies with clear costs and achievable ways to fund them.

A vibrant creative environment is vital to our region for many reasons:

• It helps us prosper. Whether civil engineers or opera singers, today’s innovators share common values and tend to cluster in areas that offer access to what is important to them including stimulating and diverse cultural and creative experiences. In addition, our creative community foster tens of thousands of jobs, bring in revenue from outside of our region through trade and tourism, and contribute directly to our economy.

• It improves academic performance. Nearly everyone agrees that arts education is crucial to the future success of our children. The arts teach kids to be more tolerant and open, express themselves creatively, bolster self-confidence, and improve overall academic performance.

• It adds to our unique quality of life. Our neighborhoods and communities are brightened by art. Our cities are alive with concerts, galleries and cultural events. These creative elements bring beauty and vision to our everyday lives. They captivate and connect us. They make our community a better place to live, work and play.

• It enlightens and entertains. Art, music, theatre, dance and cultural history delight, captivate and comfort us and give us opportunities to learn from one another and about ourselves.

But…

• How can we expand regional access to the inspiration, education and entertainment that our creative community provides?

• How can we support existing institutions, organizations, artists and businesses that contribute to our creative vitality?

• How can we grow the creative community and its continued advocacy?

With your help, we can answer these questions.