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Creative Economy and Cultural Tourism �Recovery and Growth Plan

February 9, 2023

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Respond with 1-5 words in the chat

What would it look like if Delaware were to have a stronger creative economy / arts and culture sector?

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Creative Economy and Cultural Tourism �Recovery and Growth Plan

    • BACKGROUND:
      • The Delaware Arts Alliance received $1M award from Governor John Carney and the Delaware Division of Small Business through the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation program

    • WHY:
      • The Delaware Arts Alliance is committed to investing in Delaware’s creative economy and arts and culture sectors. Through it, the wider travel and tourism sector will recover quicker and become more resilient.
      • We are ready to build on the work underway and act on this opportunity to think beyond COVID-19 recovery and look at how to grow and sustain a locally-produced sector, including individual artists, for-profit and nonprofit arts and culture organizations. This includes a clear focus on BIPOC and women-owned businesses.
      • Though the creative economy is poised to recover from the pandemic, we require a clear roadmap for the policy changes and investments needed as a sector.

    • WHEN:
      • To be developed over 2023 (public launch anticipated)
      • Released in early/mid 2024, prior to election
      • Implemented over a multi-year timeline

Project Overview

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Creative Economy and Cultural Tourism �Recovery and Growth Plan

    • WHAT:
      1. Interactive, publicly available map of Delaware’s creative economy
      2. Economic impact study
      3. Recovery plans for Delaware statewide, all counties and select Opportunity Zones (cities)
      4. Developed based on input from DE stakeholders via surveys, focus groups, meetings

    • WHO: Project team includes:
      • DAA Board, Govt Partners, other stakeholders
      • Sound Diplomacy (link)
      • Delaware-based Project Manager (RFP coming soon)
      • Delaware-based Community Outreach Contractors (RFP coming soon)
      • YOU, as champions for the effort, participants in the process

    • 1st project of this scope in DE to incorporate both for-profit and non-profit creatives across art forms
    • 1st project of this kind in the county by aligning state, county, and city plans
    • We will know we are successful if we have organized stakeholders around a common vision for the creative economy

Project Overview

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Q&A with Shain Shapiro, Founder and Executive Chairman of Sound Diplomacy

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Creative Economy and Cultural Tourism �Recovery and Growth Plan

    • For full group discussion:
      • How do you see the state or you personally benefiting from the completion of this effort?
      • What should we be taking into consideration as we begin planning?
      • What questions do you have?

    • To learn more: contact Neil nkirschling@Delawareartsalliance.org

    • Next steps:
      • Local hiring
      • Collection of local resources and information to inform research e.g. city strategic plans, economic research, mapping efforts, news articles,
      • Planning for stakeholder engagement period

Project Overview