Report shows Philadelphia ahead of national average in creative sector performance
Philadelphia, Pa., December 20, 2010 – Mayor Michael Nutter announced details of a report, which highlights Philadelphia’s creative sector performance as ranking above average when compared to local, state and national benchmarks. The report, called Creative Vitality in Philadelphia; A Three Year Index: 2006-2008, used the Creative Vitality Index (CVI) to measure Philadelphia’s strength in the creative sector. Philadelphia’s CVI score was established based on revenue, sales and employment figures. The analysis and report were funded by the William Penn Foundation.Some of the report’s findings are as follows:
- From 2006- 2008, Philadelphia’s creative sector performance increased by 7% and measured at 1.7, which is 70% stronger than the national baseline score of 1.0
- From 2006-2008, the CVI score for Philadelphia’s nonprofit arts sector was five times the national benchmark
- In 2008, Philadelphia’s creative sector employed 17,699 people.
“The results of this report reaffirm that Philadelphia’s creative sector is thriving and a major contributor to the quality of life for those who live, work and visit here,” said Mayor Nutter. “Philadelphia’s creative thinkers are energetic and innovative and are playing a big role in this city’s long-term economic and cultural vitality.”
“The fact that our CVI score is 70 percent higher than the national benchmark is a testament to the talent of our creative workers and businesses,” said Chief Cultural Officer Gary Steuer. “This research tool will help us support the growth of a dynamic creative community that produces jobs and spurs economic growth in the Philadelphia region.”
NextFab Studio, independent theatrical designer Jorge Cousineau, DesignPhiladelphia, Globe Dye Works and the World Cafe Live/WXPN partnership were profiled in the report to illustrate the contributions made by a variety of professionals in creative sector. This report will be used to support the creative economy sector through promotion and informational campaign efforts that will be geared toward spurring additional investment and research.
As part of the Creative Philadelphia initiative, the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy will host a town hall meeting on January 27, 2010, from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the PhiladelphiaCenter for Architecture. Attendees will share ideas on how to help the creative sector grow. In addition, the City will host a number of creative sector workshops between January and March, 2011. A new website, Facebook and Twitter profiles will welcome public input about the creative sector in Philadelphia.
To learn more about the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy
and upcoming Creative Philadelphia events, log on to www.phila.gov/arts
Download the Report: CreativeVitalityinPhiladelphia12-2010.pdf
