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DELAWARE LOOKS TO GROW THEIR ‘CREATIVE ECONOMY’ THROUGH THE NATION’S FIRST-EVER ARTS STUDY
Published August 2, 2023 |
MILFORD, Del. – Delaware officials want you to share your thoughts in a new survey aimed at advancing the First State’s creative economy, specifically when it comes to the arts.
The Delaware Arts Alliance has launched the nation’s first ever study to gather input from artists, creative business owners, and art patrons all in an effort to help grow the arts, culture, and tourism sectors across Delaware.
This input of the study will shape the nation’s first-ever “Creative Economy and Cultural Tourism Recovery and Growth Plan.” It’s through this plan that officials hope they will one day be able to lead the nation when it comes to arts innovation and tourism.
“We want to be the number one place for artists and performers,” explained Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long who was on hand for the launch of the program Wednesday morning in Milford.
The first of its kind in the nation, officials say the effort will engage hundreds of Delawareans from diverse backgrounds to produce a shared vision, advocacy tools, and actionable policy agenda for advancing the state’s creative economy.
“We will be the first in the country, first state, statewide, to actually do a study of the impact economically of the arts on our communities, our culture, our health,” Lt. Governor Hall-Long emphasized. “We want Delaware to be number one!”
The goal of the study is to develop the growth plan as a roadmap that outlines the policy changes and investments required for the sector’s success – including non-profits, for-profit businesses, and individual artists.
Through supporting the creative economy, officials say they’ll be able to address various economic, social, and policy issues within the state, which are crucial for Delaware’s tourism and economic recovery.
“We have been really looking at, not only the remarkable education benefits that arts have whether through visual, performing, dance, music on our children’s health and education outcomes, but also the economics,” Lt. Governor Hall-Long stressed while also encouraging all artists and those connected to the industry to participate in the survey.
Depending on your role in Delaware’s creative sector, the survey will take between 10 to 15 minutes to finish. You can find a link to the survey and get additional information on the program at go here.