[BCMA] CMA Clip Serv: The need for a creative economy

Tue Nov 23 11:31:55 PST 2010

Typical New Brunswick voice: straight and to the point.

Outlines many interesting examples for BC communities to ponder.

Some risk of an future economy based upon taking in each other's laundry . . . .

Still . . . .

Dan Gallacher
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv. 
  To: bcma at lists.vvv.com 
  Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 9:49 AM
  Subject: [BCMA] CMA Clip Serv: The need for a creative economy

  The need for a creative economy 
  Michael Maynard, Daily Gleaner, Monday, November 22, 2010 

  This is an abridged transcript of a speech delivered by Michael Maynard, director of the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, at the annual general meeting of the Fredericton Heritage Trust, Nov. 17 at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. 

  UNB Chancellor Richard Currie spoke recently about the province's grim fiscal situation, outlining some of the challenges facing New Brunswick. 

  He championed public investment in provincial colleges and universities as an investment in our workforce and our future. 

  But his message wasn't just about enhancing and expanding post- secondary education. 

  It was about fostering a culture where critical thinking and innovative problem-solving can help transition our economy from dependence on declining industries such as agriculture, fishing and forestry, to those featuring knowledge and innovation - the creative industries. 

  Our birth rate is declining, talented young people continue to leave the province and our population is aging. 

  Fewer people are paying taxes just as an increasing number of us need more government-funded health care. 

  One answer might be immigration, and 2,000 people arrived in New Brunswick last year (Manitoba, with only a slightly higher population, attracted 15,000 immigrants). 

  Our dependence upon federal transfer payments - 41 per cent of provincial revenue - positions our economy as one of the most vulnerable in Canada. 

  Over half our adult population has less than minimum literacy skills needed to cope with the demands of a global, knowledge-based economy. 

  And we have some of the highest levels of inactivity and obesity, and the highest smoking rate per capita, suggesting even higher health care costs in the future. 

  Ever the optimist, I'd like to offer what I believe is a compelling argument. 

  The culture sector may not be able to solve all the problems facing us over the coming years, but based on what's happening in other jurisdictions, public and private investment in New Brunswick culture - broadly defined by Statistics Canada as architecture, advertising the visual and performing arts, film and television, design, heritage, written media, arts education, libraries, music publishing, museums and art galleries - offers the opportunity to build a highly-skilled workforce and create new jobs, helping transform the New Brunswick 
  economy. 

  Current research confirms that creative industries are growing faster than the overall labour force, with over one million Canadians currently working in the culture sector, more than forestry or mining combined. 

  Significantly, culture contributes $84 billion to our annual GDP. 

  Fredericton has almost 2,000 culture sector workers. The city is attractive to what social theorist Richard Florida calls the 'creative class,' with a mix of historic buildings, public and private universities and colleges, and a world-class public art gallery. 

  We have an active theatre, music, film and literary scene, successful festivals and public events, the Boyce Farmers' Market, fine crafts studios, and edVentures Fredericton, the award-winning summer program of culture and craft workshops. 

  We have walking trails and the St. John River. We were the first community in Canada to offer free downtown wireless access. 

  We have affordable housing, and designation as a Cultural Capital of Canada. 

  Although the local culture scene is healthy, with New Brunswick's overall labour force in decline, we have to look at ways to reinvent our economy. 

  Whether it's investing in post-secondary education, 'one-percent-for- art' policies for art in new public buildings, tax incentives for creative industries, or promoting design in fine craft, fine dining or furniture, we have to capitalize on our strengths and rebuild the provincial economy featuring innovation and creativity. 

  There are many successful examples we can look to for inspiration. 
  Savannah, Georgia, once known as a sleepy town with historic tourist attractions, is now home to the Savannah College of Art and Design and a mix of art and technology businesses including web design and digital media. 

  Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray supported investments in the city's culture sector. [BCMA Conference 2007 keynote speaker]. 

  He moved a Red River College campus to the inner city, bringing students and their programs in media and business to the Princess Street neighbourhood and its vacant warehouses. 

  Today the neighbourhood is alive with new bookstores, cafés, galleries, condominiums and start-up businesses. 

  Tacoma, Washington is where the $63-million Museum of Glass opened in 2002, designed by Canadian architect Arthur Erickson. 

  The city's economic strategy, with a focus on the arts and a 'one- percent-for-art' policy, has seen nearly $1 billion of public and private funding invested in the city over the past five years. Tacoma was recently identified as one of 'America's Most Livable Communities.' 

  In Toronto, a group of private sector developers has restored that city's Distillery District, for many years a collection of derelict industrial buildings. Today it's home to theatre companies, art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and two new condominiums. 

  Architectural projects, cultural events and other initiatives have made Ontario's creative cluster a major - and growing - source of revenue. It's now larger than the provincial energy industry, generating $12.2- billion in GDP and employing over 130,000 people. 

  Innovative industrial design adds value to manufactured products. Designer Karim Rashid visited Saint John recently to speak about his design of casual seating and plastic water bottles, helping generate millions in sales. 

  He jump-started his career with Umbra, co-founded in 1979 by Paul Rowan, a graphic designer. Umbra is a Canadian company firmly rooted in a contemporary business ethos, one based on creativity and innovation. 

  And graphic design plays a key role in the creative economy, creating distinctive and memorable visual communications, in various media. 

  Canadian designer Heather Cooper created the Roots logo in 1973, featuring an illustration of a Canadian beaver. Thirty-seven years later, the logo is still helping Roots sell a range of clothing and fashion accessories, worldwide. 

  These and other strategies are driving the 21st century creative economy. When Alexander 'Boss' Gibson built his cotton mill here in 1883, he followed a proven 19th century business model: build the factory and workers will come. 

  But the world has changed. In a global economy and a digital world, businesses can locate anywhere they want to. And they're moving to where the talent is - creative, highly skilled talent. 

  With support and promotion, we can nurture that talent, attract business and create jobs. 

  If one believes the current economic and demographic forecasts, the status quo is not an option. 

  ---   30   --- 

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