How To Work Together

The creative economy is made up of industries and people who use creativity and culture to create goods and services that drive jobs, income, and community growth. It includes everything from artists and educators to entrepreneurs and policymakers, all working together to support innovation and cultural engagement.

A vibrant creative economy contributes to the overall economic development of a city, attracts and retains a skilled workforce, builds industry, and enhances the city's cultural richness and helps build a unique identity that attracts visitors and residents alike.

Upstream work focuses on addressing the root causes of problems before they occur. It’s proactive, strategic, and preventative — aimed at creating long-term change by altering systems, structures, or behaviors.

Downstream work deals with the effects of problems after they have happened. It’s reactive, tactical, and often immediate — focused on managing symptoms, providing support, or fixing issues that have already arisen.

We work with city leaders and partners in the following ways:

IDENTIFY AND REFINE YOUR PRIORITIES: to target your resources and opportunities where they can be most effective.

DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS: with agencies, sister cities, and leading local and national partners to accelerate and amplify your impact and results.

DESIGN CREATIVE ECONOMY PROGRAMS:and policies that return measurable results for city leadership and community combined.

ATTRACT AND RETAIN A SKILLED CREATIVE WORKFORCE: through programs and resources that train, empower and better equip them for success.