Creative Economy

"So, what is the point of public art? ” This question, posted online by Voice of San Diego's Kelly Bennett, came in response to the city of San Diego’s recent pull from public art funding; after its release on Twitter the post quickly turned viral. Responses to the post ranged from views of public art as superfluous and its place in the public sphere as luxury, to public art as necessary for community well-being, safety, and cohesiveness. 

Many of us believe in the arts as integral to the livable community— but when measuring out our federal dollars,  the arts are usually the first to go. But what if we could prove that in addition to instilling neighborhood pride and value in our public space, public art could actually serve as a deterrent for crime and violence?

Partners’ recent forum with the Hirshhorn Museum, “Building Livable Communities: Creating a Common Agenda,” served as a positive platform to re-announce a new and exciting agenda for architecture, design, and social experimentation: The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden’s Bubble Expansion and book store renovation. Attended by Congressional representatives, federal agencies, think tanks, cultural institutions, and community development leaders alike, Director of the Hirshhorn Museum Richard Koshalek discussed the museum’s upcoming plans.

The "Bubble,” as it is called for the short-term, is a joint venture of Koshalek and Diller, Scofidio + Renfro, a renowned New York-based design firm, to re-invent the Museum as an intentional classroom and illustrate intersections of public and private space. Additionally, the museum book store will undergo a transition from a common commercial entity to becoming integrated as a part of museum exhibition space, through a renovation and move to the basement of the building.

Perhaps this new agenda comes from the idea that we need to adapt spaces to peoples’ readily changing needs. Perhaps this comes from Richard Koshalek’s desire to make the Hirshhorn a world class modern art museum with a daring new exposition. Perhaps this comes from the need to blur public and private space by incorporating The "Bubble” as an almost space-less entity into a negative, or void, of the concrete mass building; and the book store as an experiment in museum exhibit space. Or perhaps this agenda just comes from a need to make the stolid flimsy, the serious fun, and the patron part of the exhibit. 

President of Partners for Livable Communities, Robert McNulty, was quoted in The Wall Street Journal article “Artists vs. Blight ,” discussing artist occupations of blighted homes and neighborhoods in transitioning communities such as Cleveland and Detroit.

Abandoned properties are encountered with rising frequency in these difficult economic times. Most people simply see them as an eyesore or a threat to security. However, there are some organizations, such as Boston Street Lab and Chashama, which have found this situation to be an opportunity to get a little creative.  

This brochure highlights the prevalent issues of today affecting all of our communities and provides concrete examples of the myriad types of institutions that have become “Fulcrums of Change” for the betterment of the people and neighborhoods where they are located.

Washington, D.C.

A committee made up of arts, business, and civic leaders dedicated to the cultural development of the Washington, D.C. community.

 

Boston, MA

A nationally recognized apprenticeship program that empowers artists, giving them the skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in the fine or commercial arts.

Pittsburgh, PA

A multi-discipline and minority directed center for arts and learning that employs the visual and performing arts to foster a sense of accomplishment and hope in the urban community.

Entrepreneurial American Leadership Award

A powerful couple who have worked to transform downtown D.C. into the lively urban center it is today.

Founders Award for Civic Leadership

Former Secretary of State for the State of Florida, for enhancing the quality of life and culture across the state

The Creative City Anthology is a comprehensive collection of articles backgrounding the issues of Partners' Creative City initiative. Authors include New Economy heavy-hitters Richard Florida and Joel Kotkin, policy advocates Bruce Katz and Thomas Hylton, and business developer John Howkins. The twenty-five complete articles are divided according to issue area, and are accompanied by a full reading list.

Published by Partners for Livable Communities, 2004 ($10)

(This Report/Book is only available for purchase. Partners does not have an electronic version available)

 

The Creative City Initiative is a multi-year technical assistance and networking program that builds upon Partners’ work with amenity-based economics. Research by MIT’s Lester Thurow states that creativity is the fuel of the information age. It is time to look at the relationship of amenities, creativity, technology and e-commerce to the globally competitive region and its ability of attracting the best and the brightest. This book has tools and resources related to the Creative City program.

Published by Partners for Livable Communities, 2004 ($10)
(This Report/Book is only available for purchase. Partners does not have an electronic version available)

This book was written for a popular audience to learn from Ms. Heath’s 10 years of research for the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Her research shows that arts and culturally based, after-school programs for at-risk youth have the most success in reaching young people and helping them develop skills for productive and successful lives.

Authors: Shirley Brice Heath and Laura Smyth, 1999, 96 pages ($10)

Bulk Discounts are available for this book. For 10 or more copies enter coupon code "artshow 10%" at checkout. For 20 or more copies enter coupon code "artshow 20%" at checkout. Contact Partners at (202) 887-5990 with questions.

(This Report/Book is only available for purchase. Partners does not have an electronic version available)