What is the Creative Economy

June 2007 GUIDE INSIDE: TO COMMUNITY PLANNING How Your Community Can Attract Creativity Getting Started : Encouraging Growth in the Creative Sector How Well Does Your Community Support the Creative Economy? Points of Interest: • In New England, the Creative Economy contributes an annual payroll of $4.3 billion 2 What is the Creative Economy? Creative workers by traditional notions have long included artists, musicians, writers and teachers. In recent years, this group of workers has expanded to include computer programmers, publishers, web designers, architects and other idea-driven professions. This group and their transaction collectively are now referred to as the Creative Economy; a cluster of businesses industry and individual artisans, in both private and commercial enterprises, which comprise a sector of our economy that is based upon ideas. The Creative Economy is important to communities because new ideas are at the foundation of economic growth. When creative ideas are coupled with technology and innovation, there is a great potential for growth in trade, industry and social development. This growth promotes tourism, spurs growth in retail and service industries, attracts businesses, and supports a rich community life. An example of this dynamic from recent history is the ingenious that drove the development of the Precision Valley machine tool industry in Vermont and New Hampshire. These ideas that drive economies are not always tangible. Creative thinking is not owned by shareholders who can choose to relocate these resources to your community. They are intellectual property, whose creators locate themselves in an environment that is conducive to their work and social lifestyle. 2 3 Art makes significant contributions to our Environment. Art work by Mary Bradley Spencer Square, Lebanon, NH • There are a number of policies, regulations, and incentives a community may consider to encourage growth in the creative economy. • Planning for the Creative Economy starts with a Master Plan. • Many Creative Economy strategies concern “quality of life”, the basis for all economic development plans. Redefining an Industry An old industry is receiving new recognition. An industry that, within New England, employs a workforce of a quarter million and contributes an annual payroll of $4.3 billion dollars (New England Council, June 2000). It has been around a long time, but it has become more prominent and diverse as our economy has advanced. This has allowed our workforce to pursue the creation of goods and services that are based on an idea rather than physical products or capital as is common in an industrialized economy. UPPER VALLEY LAKE SUNAPEE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION Page 2 How to Attract Creativity “the Creative Economy should not be viewed as the sole solution to all economic and social goals of a community” There are few studies to advise communities on how to encourage growth in the Creative Economy. There are, however, examples of communities that have successfully encouraged economic and social development with creative industries. There are a number of policies, regulations, and incentives a community may consider. Many of these strategies concern “quality of life”, the basis for all economic development plans. It is important to note that the Creative Economy should not be viewed as the sole solution to all economic and social goals of a community, but rather is an important piece of an overall strategy for economic health. Portsmouth Cultural Plan The City of Portsmouth, NH has completed a comprehensive cultural plan led by a Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee on Arts and Culture. Art-Speak: City of Portsmouth Cultural Commission Portsmouth Cultural Plan http://www.art-speak.org/ Supporting Creative Industries Requires: Creative Spaces must have a “Sense of Place” and be: “Smart” – wired to plug and play “Green” – enhance the environment “Fun” – feed the soul • Providing affordable living and work space for artists and entrepreneurs. Ensuring compact, human-scale, pedestrian-oriented community. Preserving historic and cultural facilities, and open space. Designing for a “sense of place.” Vibrant places have inviting street scapes, mixed uses, and transportation options. • Upgrading infrastructure and telecommunications for creative and entrepreneurial workspaces. Providing space for arts and culture in the community and its public property. Supporting creative economy principles and stakeholders in the master planning process. Providing quality educational opportunities for children and adults. • • • • • • Getting Started Planning for the Creative Economy starts with a Master Plan; the underlying basis for many policy decisions a community makes. Any community that intends on developing policies or programs in support of creative jobs should give consideration to these industries and supporting planning principals in a Master Plan. Care should be taken to give due consideration to existing trends, issues related to the Creative Economy, future possibilities, and policy/strategy considerations. (Continued on page 3) UPPER VALLEY LAKE SUNAPEE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION Page 3 (Continued from page 2) This process typically begins by inventorying and mapping cultural assets and possibly even documenting the economic impact of idea-based enterprises. Understanding your community’s strengths, weaknesses and opportunities provides a framework to assess current and future conditions, and develop strategies to implement a shared vision. This assessment can be created by using available data sources (see Creative Economy Resources) or implementing your own survey. Some communities address the Creative Economy in the economic development element of their Master Plan, although separate arts and culture chapters are sometimes developed to add additional emphasis to the topic. Some communities have also taken it a step further to create stand-alone cultural and civic arts plans. See how well your community supports the Creative Economy by reviewing the following questions and policy considerations in “Does Your Town…” Is your community Creative Economy Friendly? The “Idealized” Planning Process: 1. Vision-where do we want to be? 2. Inventory and data collection-existing conditions & future prospects. 3. Data collection & analysis. 4. Formulation of goals & objectives. 5. Implementation 6. Evaluation Exner Block Restoration Rockingham Community Land Trust and Housing Vermont Partnership restore Exner Block Building with 10 affordable live/work spaces, with preference given to artist, and 6 retail storefronts. Affordable live/work space funded through HUD, VT Housing Finance, and others. Rockingham Arts and Museum Project http://www.ramp-vt.org/home.htm Does Your Town… …have artists, entrepreneurs and • other creative workers serving on local boards? Create opportunities for collaboration between cultural and business communities. This could include seasonal events such as festivals. Establish a permanent, independent cultural commission that can apply for and receive funding. …incorporate space for arts and • There are few better ways to incorporate the needs of the Creative Economy into local land use ordinances and regulations. Engaging the arts and cultural community is paramount. To support creativity: • “Engaging arts and cultural community is paramount” culture in the community’s public spaces? Nurture the creation and growth of coalitions and partnerships between the arts community and government. Establish a communication/network between technical/creative sectors (new media, film, etc.) and government. • Encouraging public art installations and performance spaces, as well as integrating cultural space into all new municipal building projects, is just one way this can be done. UPPER VALLEY LAKE SUNAPEE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION Page 4 Does Your Town… (Continued from page 3) • “A vibrant community exhibits treasures from its past.” To support creativity: • Be sure that zoning allows mixed uses in central business districts and downtowns. Be sure to allow residential dwellings. Maximize use of town building space for cultural activities. Ensure that zoning regulations support the Creative Economy and define the terms gallery, studio, performance venue, and public assembly facilities. Be sure that these uses are permitted. Provide assistance and support for incubating start-up organizations and businesses. This could include the development of incubator space for start-ups. …exhibit pride in its cultural and historic heritage? A vibrant community exhibits treasures from its past. To support creativity: • • • • • Address zoning issues and building codes • Strengthen your comwhich act as barriers munity’s role in protectClaremont Mills for artists, including ing historic resources limitations on and preservation combining living and planning efforts. working space, and • Consider the establishthe need for higher ment of a Historic or density and smaller Heritage Commission. living spaces. The City of Claremont continues their effort to revitalize old mill • Promote the inclusion of Examine parking buildings along the Sugar River. prominent structures on requirements and The project began with an EPA the National or State consider reducing brownfield assessment grant. Register of historic parking standards for New mill uses include places. existing buildings that condominiums, a parking might be conducive to artist space. structure and a new location for the NH eatery, the Common Man Restaurant. Identify and promote people and sites that have historic, cultural, natural, architectural, and artistic significance. • Consider establishing a historic district. • Investigate how building and fire safety codes inhibit creating space for artists within old mill buildings. • Work with code and fire officials to develop innovative ways to safely redevelop buildings. Promote high-speed/wireless internet infrastructure. Identify infrastructure and telecommunication needs for businesses and craftspeople to stay connected. • • • Develop a Historic Preservation Plan for the entire community that identifies areas of the community that are a high priority for inventory, and possibly subsequent regulatory protection. Identify noteworthy structures under threat of neglect. Increase public awareness of the Historic District and appropriate treatments of historic structures. …support good community design through its existing land use regulations? UPPER VALLEY LAKE SUNAPEE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION Page 5 Does Your Town… • Creating and allowing human-scale, walkable streetscapes, mixed uses, and viable transportation options creates an environment where arts and culture can flourish. To support creativity: • Consider maximum parking requirements within zoning to ensure large surface parking lots do not fragment their environment. …provide affordable living and working space for artists and entrepreneurs? “Encourage the promotion of arts on trains and buses” Consider a site plan review process to regulate the development of commercial and multifamily sites. • • • • Removing limitations on combining living/ working space, allowing higher density, and Establish an encouraging smaller Brunswick, Maine architectural design living spaces, maintains review district that www.fiveriversartsalliance.org and expands the existing would encourage Local arts alliance received a range of housing options architectural design Community and makes for a more and building standards Development affordable climate for the that complement the Block Grant creative sector. New England-style (CDBG) of ambiance of the $10,000 to To support creativity: community. fund public • Ensure that zoning meetings to regulations provide for Establish landscaping develop plans a sufficient amount of standards which to strengthen land for housing and facilitate integration of the region’s economy. ensure that lot sizes uses rather then It was a collaboration between are not prohibitively isolation. three neighboring communilarge. Revitalizing Consider the creation ties to survey the sector about downtowns is a start of neighborhood their needs and to host four but be careful not to overlay district within public forums that each adcreate an environment zoning to protect the dress a particular aspect of that is unaffordable. character of planning to support the creaAs places draw greater neighborhoods. tive economy. activity to their downtowns, property Provide alternative Maine Department of Economic values and rents means of and Community Development http://www.econdevmaine.com increase, making it transportation, such as more difficult for infrastructure to artists and small local support walking, bicybusinesses to remain. cling, and transit services. Also ensure that parking sites provide for safe pe• Expand the supply of exhibit, destrian access and circulation, inrehearsal and performance spaces. cluding sidewalk access and pedesDevelop spaces for cultural activities trian aisles through parking lots. and venues for performances, Provide for shared parking facilities to allow a more cohesive pedestrian environment. exhibitions, meetings, storage, rehearsal, and education. (Continued on page 6) • UPPER VALLEY LAKE SUNAPEE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION Page 6 Does Your Town… (Continued from page 5) • • • Consider designating an outdoor performance space. Expand the supply of housing for artists that is suitable for home occupation. This can be done by allowing for accessory dwellings, e.g. small apartments in upper floors of downtown buildings. Ensure that zoning regulations support home occupations and cottage industries. Explore the benefits of making your community a Certified Local Government to offer commercial historic property owners federal tax benefits and qualify for other historic preservation funding. Promote the adaptive reuse of buildings. Explore the use of flexible zoning techniques to negotiate creative mixed-use housing in association with commercial development and redevelopment. Maintain and enhance the vitality and attractiveness of the downtown (Central Business District), serving local needs as well as visitors. Support an active nightlife in the downtown while protecting residents from undue impacts. “Promote the adaptive reuse of buildings.” • …market and promote creative businesses in the community? Is there an arts council? Has an economic study documenting the contribution of the arts been done? To support creativity: • Support the arts as a • distinctive and significant component of the local and regional economy. NH Main Street & Vermont Downtown Program • Support creative financing options. • Implement a • • Vermont recognized the importance of downtowns by establishing the 1998 Downtown Development Act to strengthen downtowns. comprehensive and coordinated network of signage directing tourists and residents to creative industries and shopping networks. • Make transportation enhancements that incorporate aesthetic improvements and art. • Vermont Division for • Encourage the promotion Historic Preservation. of arts on trains and buses, Vermont Downtown in welcome centers, and Program http:// electronic kiosks/ www.historicvermont.org websites. /programs/downtown.html • Consider participation in the National Scenic NH Main Street Program Byway Program to http://www.nhcdfa.org/ encourage tourism and mainstreet.html promote the positive aspects of your community. • • Maintain a strong housing component in the upper floors of downtown buildings. Market yourself as a business and cultural destination. UPPER VALLEY LAKE SUNAPEE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION Page 7 Does Your Town… (Continued from page 6) • Develop and enhance programs that recognize and publicize cultural assets such as starting a local awards program to recognize achievements of individuals and organizations in the arts and cultural fields. Plan seasonal events, such as festivals that feature local history, artists, writers, and craftspeople. Engage community members in life-long learning using arts and culture. Support and establish a comprehensive arts-in-education program for the public schools. Encourage year-round arts and culture classes for adults and children, novices and experts through the town recreation department. Collaborate with universities to expand cultural programs. Promote local arts and culture as a key component of economic vitality. Promote the quality of life as enriched by its cultural assets. Support the creation of a cultural identity. Encourage collaboration among arts and cultural organizations as well as the Chamber of Commerce, Main Street, local, regional, and state planning organizations, tourist groups, hospitality industry and economic development councils. Enhance information services enabling audiences to locate and use cultural programs. Integrate cultural facilities into all new municipal building projects. For larger communities, establish an arts and cultural agency to act on the municipality’s behalf on all matters related to arts and culture. Scenic Byway • • The Connecticut River Byway promotes arts, culture and history within the Connecticut River Valley. The Byway is a scenic corridor of highways, byways, and waterways along the Connecticut River in Vermont and New Hampshire. • • • • • • • • • Your regional planning commission can provide sample plans and assistance! UPPER VALLEY LAKE SUNAPEE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION Page 8 Creative Economy Resources National Park Service http://www.nps.gov/archive/parks.html U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Community Development Block Grant Program http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs/ National Trust for Historic Preservation. Historic Preservation Tax Credits http://www.nationaltrust.org/ Historic New England http://www.historicnewengland.org/ June 2007 This publication was prepared by Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission. http://uvlsrpc.org Funding for the work was provided by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. http://www.nhcf.org/ The Arts Alliance http://www.artsalliance.com/home.aspx The New England Council http://www.newenglandcouncil.com/ Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development http://www.dca.state.vt.us/ New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development http://www.dred.state.nh.us/ New England Foundation for the Arts http://www.nefa.org/ NH State Council on the Arts http://www.nh.gov/nharts/ New Hampshire Business Committee for the Arts http://www.nhbca.com/news_040610_ce.php New Hampshire Association of Regional Planning Commissions http://www.nharpc.org/ Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies http://www.vapda.org/ Maine Regional Councils http://www.maine.gov/spo/landuse/techassist/regcouncil.php Commonwealth of Massachusetts http://www.mass.gov/“Creative Class” Home of the Richard Florida Creativity Group. http://www.creativeclass.org/ New England Foundation for the Arts http://www.nefa.org/projinit/createecon/index.html Midcoast Magnet http://www.midcoastmagnet.com/ Rhode Island State Council on the Arts http://www.arts.ri.gov/projects/housing.php Massachusetts Cultural Council http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/issues/economicdevelopment.html UPPER VALLEY LAKE SUNAPEE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION Upper Valley Creative Economy Initiative Steering Committee Members Sabrina Brown, Pentangle Council on the Arts Len Cadwallader, Vital Communities Alison Clarkson, Vermont House of Representatives Beverly Fiertz, Upper Valley Region Advisory Board Joan Goshgarian, NH Business Committee for the Arts Andrea Henry, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Margaret “Peggy” Kannenstine, Artist - CHAIR Karen Keane, Arts Consultant Margaret Lawrence, Hopkins Center – Dartmouth College Ken Niemczyk, City of Lebanon Gayle Ottmann, Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce Kevin Peterson, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation – Upper Valley Region staff Joanne Wise, Upper Valley Region Advisory Board Naj Wikoff, C. Everett Koop Institute – Dartmouth Medical School Elevate the Creative Economy!