The Denver Office of Cultural Affairs has hosted the Create
Denver Week for 5 years now. I attended their Town Hall meeting to
discuss ways to support the growth and development of the creative
sector. On several occasions, guests from other cities mentioned their
jealousy in how Denver is a leader in supporting its creative sector.
Three bills have passed supporting creative assets and creative
industries.
Most notably, Senate Bill 158, consolidates the Offices of Colorado Council for the Arts, Arts in Public Places and Film and Media Production into a Creative Industries Division within the Office of Economic Development. This division will support Colorado’s numerous artistic industries so that they become more competitive nationwide.
Key strategies:
- Financial: help sector access the resources to thrive. Support existing NGOs. Provide “catalyst” funding. Small step funding, micro loans, VC funds. Also looking at public-private funding opportunities.
- Professional Development: Build business skills of the sector, and access existing resources, i.e. chamber. Support conferences, vendor fairs and other networking opportunities.
- Promotion and advocacy: Help with branding. Celebrate creative individuals, groups, NGOs.
- Education: Working k-16 to create curriculum, embrace creative learning, etc.
To read the full, original article click on this link: How to support the creative sector in your city – learning from Denver and Create Denver
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