Colorado Creative Industries investing in Communities
By Cristy Costello
Few would deny that participation in and appreciation of the arts offers significant benefits for individuals — personal enjoyment, inspiration, and deeper meaning, to name a few. But the arts also deliver important social benefits – economic prosperity, student achievement, healthy and vibrant communities.
In 1967 Governor John Love launched the Colorado Council on the Arts. In his executive order, Governor Love noted that “a healthy, vigorous life of the arts is the best evidence of a strong and growing state.”
From an initial appropriation of $25,000, the state increased the Council’s funding steadily over the decades to almost $2 million in 2001. But in 2002, the State of Colorado was faced with dramatic budget deficits and the legislature was forced to reduce the agency’s budget. By fiscal year 2004, the state appropriation had plummeted to $200,000. As a result, grant dollars were reduced by one-half, artist assistance and school programs were suspended, and seven of eight staff positions were eliminated. It was clearly necessary to take an entirely new look at the agency’s programs in light of economic and political conditions. In July 2010, Colorado’s new Creative Industries Division (CCI) merged the former Council on the Arts and Art in Public Places program to capitalize on the immense potential for our creative sector to drive economic growth in Colorado. In 2014, the agency functions with four staff members and a state investment of $2 million dollars from the general assembly and $700,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts. This funding is leveraged through partnerships with numerous organizations and community partners. Grants and services have been reestablished with a new focus on stimulating Colorado’s Creative Economy.
A division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade, Colorado Creative Industries sees a future where Colorado is a premiere “Creative Economy.” We strive to create a strong brand identity, a Top 10 reputation, and create significant and sustained investment in the creative sector where creative entrepreneurs and enterprises will flourish. It’s our goal for Colorado to “grow its own” creative workforce.
Support for creatives is offered through an array of programs encompassing financial and technical assistance as well as professional development. Recently announced Career Advancement grants range from $500 – $2500 and support Colorado creative entrepreneurs and artists to help stimulate their commercial creative business. The annual Colorado Creative Industries Summit is a chance for creative professionals to meet and network with fellow creatives from around the state. The 3rd annual event will be held in the Salida Creative District on May 1-2, 2014.
Colorado Creative Industries is small but mighty, leveraging major partnerships and community support to maximize the return on investment to Colorado citizens. With our new focus of supporting creative entrepreneurs, CCI has partnered with several groups including the Colorado Small Business Development Centers and organizations like CREATE MSU Denver (CREATE) to provide low-cost training and business advisement programs grow and prosper in Colorado. As a board of advisors member, Colorado Creative Industries director Margaret Hunt works in concert with CREATE to guide these efforts.
Through a partnership with the Boettcher Foundation, Colorado’s 14 Creative Districts were responsible for an economic impact resulting in a ripple effect of 3,489 additional jobs with over $71.5 million in earnings according to the Creative Vitality™ Index.
A recent study conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the National Endowment for the Arts estimates that the arts and cultural sector contributed 3.2%, or $504 Billion, of U.S. Gross Domestic Product in 2011. Given the thousands of jobs in arts and culture, related employment and spending, and millions in state and local taxes, it’s time we start to recognize the real impact creative industries have on our economy and support the people that make it happen. Although the impact of the creative industries is significant, state investments in the sector are not proportionate. It is important that citizen’s stay involved as advocates for the industry. Contact your elected officials today to discuss the important role of the creative industries in your community.
To learn more about the Colorado Creative Industries, visit coloradocreativeindustries.org.
Category: ARTrepreneurship
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