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This report was published by the City of Bainbridge Island on Oct 22, 2021 A salute to Arts & Humanities Bainbridge. Through their efforts, Bainbridge Island has been certified by the State Arts Commission as Washington State’s ninth certified Creative District. This designation will focus a spotlight on Bainbridge Island’s creative arts community and will provide a boost to Bainbridge Island’s many organizations and individuals who are a part of Bainbridge Island’s creative class. Sociologist Richard Florida has written extensively about the emerging “creative class” and hypothesizing that the foundation of the new economy depends upon the growth and nurturing of the creative class. He suggests that with low-cost labor available internationally, what will set our economy apart is its creativity and innovation. The creative class is broadly defined to include science, fine arts, design, technology, food and many other aspects of right-brain activity. According to Florida, as we move from an era of industrial production, the new economy is creativity. Those communities who support the creative class will be the most vibrant and significant. The City of Bainbridge Island supports arts and humanities in its Cultural Element, which is one of the elements, or chapters, of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The Cultural Element establishes a policy of financial support for the arts and humanities. Before the end of the year, the City will award more than $300,000 of funding for cultural and arts activities for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 through the cultural funding grant process. A future City Manager’s Report will highlight the recipients of these grant funds. The designation of the Creative District is intended to improve the livability of the community for existing residents, and it will show what a fun place Bainbridge Island is to live, work and visit. Again, well done, Arts & Humanities Bainbridge. Best wishes, Blair King City Manager |