New England Council findings reveal the creative sector as a major
growing factor in the New England economy. This research has provided
new information and understanding of the Creative Economy, and defined
opportunities for the growth of this sector. Through this work we know
that New England and Maine have a higher concentration of creative
workers than other parts of the country, and that communities small and
large prosper economically when the arts and culture are vital parts of
community life. The arts and culture are also critical for attracting
employees and keeping young people in Maine. The Creative Economy
generates an estimated $6.6 billion in cultural tourism dollars,
qualifying it as a major regional export industry.
Dr. Richard Barringer
University of Southern Maine
Muskie Center for Public Policy
Purpose
- Help inform the general public and present the Creative Economy
concept and case studies
- Develop strategies and policies to act on opportunities to use the
Creative Economy approach in our community and economic development
efforts
- Adapt current urban Creative Economy model findings to our rural state
Outcomes
Acknowledgement in the business and economic development community that
the Creative Economy is a meaningful sector worthy of promoting
Development of collaborative strategies and policies for pursuing
Creative Economy initiatives in Maine's economic development efforts and
programs.
Creation of a working group that will move Maine's Creative Economy
initiative forward in terms of funding, planning, education, and
implementation.
Project Description
The purpose of the research will be to extend work previously done for
the New England Council and by the New England Foundation for the Arts
to develop detailed information and to examine the role of the
Creative Economy in a rural state. This collaboration will produce a set
of research protocols for determining the scope and significance of
cultural economic activity that can be applied elsewhere in New England
and the US. Through a set of case studies, it will provide concrete
information on the role of the Creative Economy in community
development. The study will be a cooperative venture among the Center
for Business and Economic Research, University of Southern Maine, the Northeastern University
Department of Economics and the New England Foundation for the Arts.
Blaine House Conference on the Creative Economy Steering Committee
The committee was comprised of Conference co-chairs, state agency
representatives and cultural, academic and business advisors. The
appointed steering committee oversees planning and development of the
conference, including defining the outcomes, setting the agenda,
creative economy research, audience development work and conference
evaluation.
Richard Barringer, Muskie School for Public Policy, Portland
Steven J. Bell, Columbia Management Advisors, Portland
Connie Brennan, Banknorth Group, Portland
Stephen Cole, Coastal Enterprises, Inc., Wiscasset
Rebecca Swanson Conrad, Rÿsen, Auburn
P. James Dowe, Jr., Bangor Savings Bank, Bangor
Brett Doney, Growth Council of Oxford County, Norway
Bruce Hazard, Mountain Counties Heritage, Inc., Farmington
Joseph Kumiszcza, Maine Software and Information Technology Industry Association, Portland
John Melrose, Maine Tomorrow, Hallowell
Tracy Michaud Stutzman, Maine Highlands Craft Guild, Dover-Foxcroft
Marilyn Moss Rockefeller, Camden
Gary Nichols, Maine State Library, Augusta
John Oliver, LL Bean, Freeport
Amy Putansu, Putansu Textiles, Thomaston
*John Rohman, WBRC Architects/Engineers, Bangor
Darcy Rollins, Maine Downtowns Program, Augusta
Henry L.P. Schmelzer, Maine Community Foundation, Ellsworth
Peggy Schaffer, Maine Department of Community and Economic Development, Augusta
Dorothy Schwartz, Maine Humanities Council, Portland
Cynthia Thompson, Transformit Inc., Gorham
*Christine Vincent, Maine College of Art, Portland
Alden C. Wilson, Maine Arts Commission, Augusta
Mark Woodward, Bangor Daily News, Bangor
* co-chairs
"The creative are attracted to a place not because of its tax rate, but
because of quality of life...Therefore, a place's economic prosperity
now depends more on diversity, healthy arts and culture scenes, great
universities, outdoor recreation and tolerance"
Richard Florida, author of "The Rise of the Creative Class" and
professor at Carnegie Mellon University.
