The region’s “creative economy” will be a major driver for growth over the coming decades.  This category includes those industries that have their origin in individual creativity, skill, and talent, the primary products of which are ideas, products, and/or services.  Creative economy industries include architecture and design, business consulting, research, performing and visual arts, advertising, films and media, software development, and education.  

Some of these activities occur under the umbrella of large institutions, corporations, or nonprofit organizations; micro-businesses and sole proprietorships are major drivers of the creative economy.  Recent data from the North Shore indicate that 90% of creative economy establishments employ fewer than ten people.  Nevertheless, the creative economy has a significant economic impact: the same North Shore study indicates that the creative economy represents 10% to 12% of that area’s total private sector employment.  

Unlike many other sectors, the success of the creative economy is built on a sense of place, not something typically thought of as an economic driver. Highly educated, skilled creative workers have options about where they might live. Their skills and abilities are portable, and they are seeking vibrant neighborhoods, good urban design, and high quality of life.  Also, the proximity afforded by those areas creates opportunities for interactions and “convergence” that generates new business activity.  

The creative economy will not necessarily respond to the same economic development strategies that motivate traditional industries.  The North Shore Creative Economy Initiative has identified four broad strategies for growing the creative economy: build a collaborative and coordinated regional approach; foster collaboration through “convergence” of different enterprises in virtual or physical environments; build capacity of creative enterprises through training and education; and market the region as a unique and competitive center of creative activity.  

7.a    MAPC should develop a strategy for coordination with the Creative Economy Industry Director and the Massachusetts Creative Economy Council

7.b    The Legislature should deepen strategic state investments in Creative Economy initiatives

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