We were honored to partner with the Peabody Essex Museum event last week, and thank you to those who joined us; this ecosystem matters, and we need to work towards shifting how we talk about it AND who we include in the conversations.
Via Salem News today...
THE LOCAL CREATIVE ECOSYSTEM
To the editor:
Last week, the Peabody Essex Museum and Creative Collective co-hosted a Creative Ecosystem Roundtable, which brought together over 50 community stakeholders from across the region. This event followed a Networking Breakfast and Leadership Forum held in November and offered a chance to delve into our creative community’s unique opportunities and challenges. These events are part of a partnership series on the creative ecosystem that will continue in the fall.
According to a 2024 study by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the National Endowment for the Arts, with data from 2022, the arts and culture sectors, both for-profit and nonprofit, contribute 4.31% to the nation’s GDP, support over 5.2 million jobs, and represent a $1.02 trillion industry—more than the retail, construction, and transportation sectors.
We need more support for the arts and culture sector and this came through loud and clear at the roundtable discussions. The conversations need to shift towards how this sector can be better supported and increase the voices of creatives in discussing our most pressing issues. Collaboration and open and honest dialogue are how we can move even the most difficult issues forward toward resolution.
Acknowledging the need for these conversations, last week’s Creative Ecosystem Roundtable gathered a diverse mix of practicing artists, working creatives, government officials, and community leaders. It encouraged participants to break down silos and collaborate on the following themes: Living a Creative Life; Sustainability in the Creative Community; Partnerships and Opportunities; Tourism and Festivals; and Advocacy and Governmental Affairs. The discussions were vibrant and infused with active listening, open-mindedness, and mutual respect.
This cross-disciplinary roundtable format was experimental but impactful. The room buzzed with energy as new connections were forged and fresh ideas circulated. A recurring theme was how rare and valuable it is to bring together a wide range of creative stakeholders to tackle old challenges from a fresh perspective. We are compiling notes to identify broad themes, trends, and action items for prioritizing, nurturing, and sustaining creative communities. We sincerely appreciate the participants’ openness and collaboration and for fostering honest dialogue for collective problem-solving.
Kurt Steinberg, COO, Peabody Essex Museum, John Andrews, Founder and President, Creative Collective
https://lnkd.in/e5PHzs5v
