Message From the Executive Director | Funding the Creative Economy
In an era where innovation and creativity drive economic growth and societal progress, investing in the creative economy is not just an option but a necessity. The creative sector, encompassing arts, culture, design, media, and technology, is a powerful driver for job creation, cultural enrichment, and community resilience.
Did you know Delaware’s creative economy is a jobs engine, supporting over 18,500 jobs statewide? This includes:
10,520 direct jobs in creative fields like design, performing arts, etc.
4,021 indirect jobs supporting the creative sector, like suppliers and printers.
4,010 induced jobs created by spending within the creative economy, like restaurants near art venues.
Delaware’s creative economy generated a whopping $3.7 billion in output. Additionally, Delaware’s creative economy has an impressive output multiplier effect. For every $1 generated by the sales of goods and services in the creative economy, an additional $0.60 is generated locally across other industries. This shows how investment in the creative sector fuels broader economic growth throughout the state.
Despite its substantial contributions, the creative economy faces significant funding challenges. Traditional funding models often overlook the unique needs of creative enterprises, which can be small, project-based, and reliant on diverse revenue streams.
A significant 83% of creatives and 78% of organizations we surveyed expressed
dissatisfaction with their income stemming from their creative work, including those who generate 100% of their income from their creative endeavors. Stakeholders also reported that women and minority groups were frequently excluded from conversations and underrepresented in projects, both as audiences and in leadership roles. Economic disadvantages, transportation limitations, and uneven access to arts education create further barriers.
Public funding for the arts has seen declines in many regions, and private investment tends to favor more conventional industries. According to our survey data, there is little to no funding or financial support available explicitly for for‐profit organizations within the creative economy. Furthermore, philanthropic funding is not seen by stakeholders to be equitably distributed throughout the community. These results are consistent with the perception of both creatives and organizations that accessing financing, both public and private, presents a significant challenge to their success.
Another challenge explored through this work is audience behavior. Attendance at traditional arts events such as theater performances, classical music concerts, and museum visits have been decreasing for several years, and the pandemic exacerbated this issue. Factors contributing to this trend include changes in consumer behavior, competition from digital entertainment, inflated operating costs and shifting cultural interests.
The CREATE Plan dives deeper into this issue, highlighting Delaware’s creative economy strengths and how we can pave the way for an even brighter future. The plan also features recommendations to guide policymakers, business leaders, and philanthropists in how they can support and prioritize funding for the creative sector. Some of those recommendations include:
Identifying Additional Revenue Streams: Explore new funding sources and investment opportunities to support Delaware’s dynamic creative economy.
Expanding Equitable Arts Funding: Support and expand the Delaware Division of the Arts’ granting schemes with arts funding structures led by other governmental agencies along equitable lines, ensuring that all members of our creative community are heard and have access to funding.
Recommendations from the plan also include equity considerations and specific notes related to DEA&I within the creative economy. With the full launch of the plan later this summer, we’re excited to share more insights and targeted action items! My hope is that our collaborative effort, shaped by hundreds of voices, will be the catalyst for transformative change as we continue to build a thriving creative landscape in Delaware.
Stay tuned for more updates and findings leading up to the official CREATE Plan launch this summer.
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