North Fork makes pitch as a creative district
Submitted by Elaine Brett
North Fork Valley Creative Coalition
In a standing room only room in Montrose, supporters of Western Colorado's creative industries came together to meet with Governor John Hickenlooper. Ten delegates from the North Fork Valley and Delta County spoke in favor of making the North Fork Valley a Colorado Creative District.
The meeting was arranged by the state Office of Economic Development and Colorado Creative Industries. Delegations from Ridgway, Gunnison, Montrose, and the North Fork Valley spoke about opportunities in their area for using art to drive commerce and to create jobs. The North Fork's Creative Coalition was represented by individuals from the Delta County Tourism Cabinet, the Blue Sage Center for the Arts, the Creamery Arts Center, Elsewhere Studio, Mountain Harvest Festival, the Delta County Film Collaborative, KVNF, and North Fork Vision 2020.
Governor Hickenlooper called the Creative Industries a "piece of the new economy" and indicated that communities that invested in cultural vitality do better than those that don't. Colorado is a magnet for creative talent and ranks 5th among all states for its concentration of artists.
The state will certify two Creative Districts in 2012. Each will receive $15,000 grant and a technical assistance package to enhance their districts. Five applicatns will be identified as "prospective" districts and will receive $8,000 and technical assistance to enhance their likelihood of future certification. Eight applicants will be identified as "emerging" and will receive $2,000 and technical assistance.
The North Fork Creative Collaborative was formed in 2011 recognizing that there is a tremendous amount of talent and potential for creative industries to take a lead in the community in social and economic development. The group formed as a result of the North Fork Vision 2020 conversations that asked the public to share their ideas about how they could create a positive future in the North Fork community. They plan to apply to the state for funding to support the effort to become a Colorado Creative District.
In July 2010, Colorado's new Creative Industries Division merged the former Council on the Arts, Office of Film, Television and Media, and Art in Public Places program to capitalize on the immense potential for our creative sector to drive economic growth in Colorado. Part of the state Office of Economic Development, Colorado Creative Industries sees a future where Colorado is a premiere "Creative Economy" with a strong brand identity, a Top 10 reputation, and significant and sustained investment in the creative sector, and where Creative entrepreneurs and enterprises will flourish and we will "grow our own" creative workforce.
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