Creative economy beckons

The visit provides us with a significant opportunity for people interested in community and economic development as well as the arts and culture sectors to come together and think about how we can more fully develop these capabilities. Hanan will give a presentation on Tuesday night, Sept. 4 from 6-8 p.m. at Snowy Owl Theater in Leavenworth. The following day, she will be visiting places in our valley that are fostering cultural creativity, including the Music and Arts Center at the College, Two Rivers Gallery and RadarStation Gallery.

The commission is interested in supporting development of the creative economy throughout the state, Hanan told me. Creative economy jobs run the gamut from artists, singers and photographers to less obvious jobs in culinary arts, brew pubs, game designers and architects.

Chelan County alone has nearly 1,800 creative jobs as of 2016 and that number is increasing, Hanan said. One tantalizing opportunity that is beginning to be explored in the valley is the development of a state-designated creative district to support and encourage further development of this part of our economy.

I don’t think we fully appreciate the quality and quantity of creative jobs in this region.