Creative Startups

Tomorrow, Creative Startups CEO Alice Loy will be joining almost 70 leaders from across the creative sector for the National Science Foundation (NSF)'s Creative Industries Summit at UCLA. We're excited to collaborate and explore opportunities with NSF to advance key technologies, address societal challenges, and accelerate workforce development! The summit is supported by the NSF's Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), which also funded our Indigenous Pathways to Planning Sustainable Futures workshop in September. As part of UCLA’s Innovation, Culture, and Creativity project (ICC), this workshop gathered urban planners, smart city technologists, and equity advocates to examine effective ways to involve Native American artists and creatives, aiming to boost scientific discovery and foster greater diversity in STEM fields. We look forward to witnessing how ideas from both Indigenous pathways and tomorrow's Creative Industries Summit will be incorporated into the national convening at UCLA on December 5-6th. Learn more about the summit, UCLA's ICC Project, and NSF's TIP directorate at https://lnkd.in/ebSdv27a #NSF #CreativeIndustries #NSFCreativeIndustriesSummit #UCLA #UCSantaBarbara #UCLAICC #creativeeconomy #creativesector #economicdevelopment #techinnovation

One of my favorite parts of traveling with Raashan Ahmad throughout New Mexico to do research for the 2024 Creative Industries Study (https://lnkd.in/gaWcdSbG) was learning about spaces like Uncle Mike's in Portales, NM. Check out this KENW video about Uncle Mike's: https://lnkd.in/giP9XztN. A post-lockdown brainchild of local musician Mike Morrision, Uncle Mike's is a true do-it-together community art space, grounded in music, built and maintained and loved by people who are, tbh, more authentic punks than some of my dear safety-pin jacketed pals. There are free snacks, pro A/V equipment that everybody pooled their money to buy, a stage the whole collective hammered up together. My fancy words for it might include "right-sized resilience," but I also grew up in a town a lot like Portales, and the less fancy truth is that I would've loved to have something like this in my town when I was a teenager. (Even if it might've taken some cool "big city" band coming through for me to respect it—another story, I guess). "Real deal" art shouldn't be confined to urban centers. Spaces to do pro-grade creativity together, learning from each other, outside the pressures of profit—these are so critical for smaller communities to thrive. It's also true that there is something "so New Mexico" about Uncle Mike's. Almost everywhere we went in New Mexico, we found threads of subsidiarity: the belief that we should take care of the most we possibly can within our immediate circles before moving outward for more help. Back and forth between long ago and right now, acequia associations to resolanas to kivas to art collectives, there's a consistent echo of collectivist spirit. So much community-rooted expression and innovation exists in New Mexico outside of the usual tourist thoroughfares. I'm excited to see how the New Mexico Economic Development Department's new Creative Industries Division—led by Shani Harvie—can support a truly statewide vision of community development through creativity! 🤩

I’m thrilled to be teaming up with powerful people who create programs to uplift, teach and nurture Sacramento businesses. Getting ready to give a talk to this ambitious cohort about content creation, incorporating techniques from the filmmaking world, and knowing how to pivot in an ever-changing industry. Exciting times!

🎉Meet 2024's CLTRE: EveryDay Creative cohort!🎉 The EveryDay Creative program has officially launched, and, alongside CLTRE and the Office of Arts & Culture - City of Sacramento, we are proud to have a hand in supporting 17 innovative businesses as they grow and thrive! These entrepreneurs are at the forefront of Sacramento's creative economy, and we're excited to see their impact grow. This year's cohort includes: Adapting History Aktive Audio Algo Bueno Productions Al's Fine Woodworks Amatoria Fine Art Books Assuage Healing and Holistics Blacker the Berry Health & Wellness Crispin Supper Club DJ Rock Bottom Genuine Marketing Solutions ILU Innovations Let's Elevate Dance Lifestyle Art Space Rural Mural Magic The Creative Space TJFJ Sourcing Trayzell White The EveryDay Creative program builds on insights from our Sprout to Growth: Potential Pathways for Growing Sacramento’s Creative Economy report we completed for the city, which highlights how creative industries can drive economic growth and innovation in Sacramento. To learn more about our Sprout to Growth report, visit www.creativestartups.org ✨ #Sacramento #creativeeconomy #economicdevelopment #creativesacramento

Tonight we had Lavonya Jones as the first mentor of our EveryDay Creative program, and it was AMAZING. S/O to Jason Jong and Megan Van Voorhis from the City of Sacramento for partnering on this project with CLTRE and Creative Startups. Also huge thanks to partners like SMUD who support community development, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

The CLTRE: EveryDay Creative program has begun, and we are excited to be on this journey with CLTRE to guide 20 incredible creative entrepreneurs through this transformative journey! The EveryDay Creative program is an 8-month initiative designed to empower BIPOC entrepreneurs by providing them with tailored training, mentorship, and financial support to help their creative businesses thrive. Together with CLTRE and the Office of Arts & Culture - City of Sacramento, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive creative economy. We can't wait to see these entrepreneurs grow and transform Sacramento’s creative landscape! Learn more about the program at bit.ly/liCLTREEveryDay24, and while you're at it, check out a few of our participants/small businesses: ILU Innovations, Jahi Jones, Cecilia Romo #Sacramento #Sacramentocreative #sacramentosmallbusiness #EveryDayCreative #creativeeconomy

Notes from the field: Over the next eight months, we are taking a deep dive journey with 20 creative entrepreneurs. The goal: to get them ready to compete in the $1 trillion dollar industry that is called the Creative Economy. There is tailored education, coaching on activing in the present for revenue generation, access to seed capital, and a lot more. S/O to the City of Sacramento for investing heavily into helping CLTRE create the pathways to develop leaders in the creative industry by the year 2030. As well as partners like Creative Startups, Capitol Area Development Authority (CADA), and SMUD for their support as well. This is literally community development… if you want to join us, shoot me a DM and let’s get you with us at the table. Now is the time… #communitydevelopment #inclusiveeconomicdevelopment #cltre #sacramento #everydaycreative #sacramento #CLTRE

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible sponsors for DeepTEK: Creative Startups, the The University of New Mexico, and the Indigenous Design Planning Institute! Your support and commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in our communities make all the difference. Together, we’re paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future! #DeepTEK #Gratitude #Innovation #CommunitySupport #IndigenousExcellence

From September 12-14 in Albuquerque, NM, I had the pleasure of attending and contributing to two impactful events. Over the past few months, our team worked hard to create an ecosystem of Native-led organizations, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and change-makers. On September 12th, Native American Capital and Investment Alliance "NACIA" and Creative Startups and The University of New Mexico hosted the DeepTEK Symposium. Native leaders gathered to explore sustainable solutions grounded in Traditional Ecological Knowledge. It was inspiring to witness meaningful discussions and engage in various workshops on decolonizing Natural Resource Management (Panel), Blockchain as a tool for sovereignty (led by Nationsfirst), and the role of equity and art in shaping the future. The discussions continued on September 13-14th with the Indigenous Pathways to Planning Sustainable Futures workshops. This visionary series brought together urban planners, technologists, and equity advocates to explore how Native American artists and creatives can be more effectively engaged to advance and increase diverse participation in STEM fields. We concluded the event with field trips, exploring the new Entrepreneurship Complex at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and visiting their farm. I’m grateful for the opportunity to meet and connect with so many Indigenous leaders who are making impactful change. Thank you to all the speakers and participants who made these events truly special. We’re excited to see the collaborations and initiatives that will emerge from these important conversations! Check out the agenda here [https://lnkd.in/gbw5ttjV] to explore the incredible contributions and discussions that took place during these events!

Even after taking a second to catch our breath, we are still floored by the energy and inspiration generated at the DeepTEK Symposium and Indigenous Pathways to Planning Sustainable Futures workshop! On Sept 12th, we had the pleasure of hosting the DeepTEK Symposium in collaboration with Native American Capital and Investment Alliance "NACIA" and The University of New Mexico. Gathering more than 30 Native leaders and change makers, DeepTEK focused on creating sustainable solutions rooted in Native American Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). The Indigenous Pathways workshop Sept 13-14th continued the visionary discussions, bringing together urban planners, smart city technologists, equity advocates to explore how communities may more effectively engage Native American artists and creatives with the aim of increasing rates of scientific/technological discovery and diverse participation in STEM fields. Thank you to all speakers and participants for making these events truly unforgettable. We are excited to see what collaborations and initiatives are born out of these events! We'd also like to extend a big thank you to the National Science Foundation (NSF), UCLA, and U.S. Small Business Administration for their support. #Indigenous #Sustainability #deepTEK #NativeInnovation