The Americans for the Arts (AFTA) Creative Industries report accounts for more than 756,000 businesses nationally involved in the creation and/or distribution of arts, and these businesses employ nearly 3 million people. In Michigan, 24,306 arts-related businesses – which represent approximately 4 percent of the state’s total businesses – employ more than 77,000 people.
From a tax revenue perspective: assuming an average nonprofit salary, estimated at approximately $30,000 per year and state income tax at 4 percent, the average arts employee will pay approximately $1,200 in state taxes per year – more than tripling the state’s current investment in the arts sector.
But the business of creativity goes deeper than your typical employment and tax statistics. Let’s look at the contributions of the creative industries from another vantage point, something few sectors can boast: tourism, the draw of people (and their money) to and around the state.
According to the MEDC, arts, culture and historical tourism generated approximately $2.1 billion in leisure spending by tourists in 2010, an increase of $300 million from 2008. This represents nearly 17 percent of the total tourism dollars generated in Michigan. Further, tourists taking part in the magnetic destinations supported by rich arts and culture spend more and stay longer than any other type of attraction.
To help give you some perspective on how significant these numbers are, consider that this revenue is greater than that generated by hunting and fishing, boating and sailing, snowmobiling and skiing, sporting events and golf courses combined.
Even in the most challenging of times, arts and cultural attractions continue to draw people to and around the Michigan, as more than 86 percent of the aforementioned tourists were Michigan residents, exploring and supporting their own region.
The creative industry, weaving its innovation across and within businesses of all types to evolve our future, coupled with the remarkable financial gain the industry brings to the state, is a major force in poising Michigan for a triumphant return and an extraordinary future.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
History of Creative Industries in Michigan
In Michigan’s nearly 175-year history, its broad spectrum of innovations, brought forth by a creative entrepreneurial spirit, has been watched not only by the country, but the world.
From industry to the arts and entertainment, our state has crafted a rich legacy of influence from its acclaim as the automotive capital of the world or the contributions of its steam-powered lumber mills that helped to build a nation, to its right as the birthplace of Motown and home to the second largest theater district in the United States.
Most people think of our stature as the “automotive capital of the world” to mean manufacturing, but Michigan didn’t just manufacture cars, it designed the most beautiful cars the world has ever seen.
The spirit of innovation and creativity that is uniquely Michigan has left its mark not only throughout our state, but our country and the world.
For instance, Albert Kahn, one of the most notable architects of our time, helped build our automotive reputation with his revolutionary work in factory development, like the River Rouge Plant in Dearborn, which in its time was the largest manufacturing complex in the U.S. He created bases contributing to our defense during World War I and solidified Detroit’s position as the Arsenal of Democracy during World War II. Kahn also designed offices and homes with immeasurable aesthetic value, as in his Fisher Building, which define the Detroit skyline and many of the classic buildings at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Detroit revolutionized the newspaper business through James E. Scripps, founder of the Detroit News, making it more accessible. Michigan-raised Thomas Alva Edison developed devices changing history with the phonograph, motion picture camera, and of course, the light bulb.
All of these notable innovators and their contributions embody the possibilities that can be created through the creative industries and serve as important reminders of our past that act as windows to what today’s innovators hold for our future.
From industry to the arts and entertainment, our state has crafted a rich legacy of influence from its acclaim as the automotive capital of the world or the contributions of its steam-powered lumber mills that helped to build a nation, to its right as the birthplace of Motown and home to the second largest theater district in the United States.
Most people think of our stature as the “automotive capital of the world” to mean manufacturing, but Michigan didn’t just manufacture cars, it designed the most beautiful cars the world has ever seen.
The spirit of innovation and creativity that is uniquely Michigan has left its mark not only throughout our state, but our country and the world.
For instance, Albert Kahn, one of the most notable architects of our time, helped build our automotive reputation with his revolutionary work in factory development, like the River Rouge Plant in Dearborn, which in its time was the largest manufacturing complex in the U.S. He created bases contributing to our defense during World War I and solidified Detroit’s position as the Arsenal of Democracy during World War II. Kahn also designed offices and homes with immeasurable aesthetic value, as in his Fisher Building, which define the Detroit skyline and many of the classic buildings at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Detroit revolutionized the newspaper business through James E. Scripps, founder of the Detroit News, making it more accessible. Michigan-raised Thomas Alva Edison developed devices changing history with the phonograph, motion picture camera, and of course, the light bulb.
All of these notable innovators and their contributions embody the possibilities that can be created through the creative industries and serve as important reminders of our past that act as windows to what today’s innovators hold for our future.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Creative Industries: The Impact (No Matter the Definition)
Throughout the country, the definition of arts, culture, the creative industries, and what and who fit under the ‘creative economy’ umbrella varies widely. It’s no wonder, with specific industry clusters defining the unique character of certain regions and communities, coupled with advancements in technology, commitments to innovation, and the fluidity of how the creative industry intertwines within and across business sectors.
Our Wisconsin peers at Creative Alliance Milwaukee have worked to define that region’s creative economy and developed strategies to promote and strengthen the economic and cultural value it provides. The definition they offer spans a rich spectrum from the nonprofit arts, culture and humanities to for-profit businesses where creativity and design are integrated into the production of goods and services.
“Those organizations, individuals and companies whose products and services originate in artistic, cultural, creative and/or aesthetic content.”
Creativity Works!, A Partnership of the Cultural Alliance of Greater Milwaukee and the Greater Milwaukee Committee, January 2011.
Every level of interaction that touches a creative product or service – whether it be the artists, designers, creative thinkers and support staff, all the way to the manufacturing, distribution, sales and business leading to the end user – falls under the creative industries. However, more important than defining the industry is recognizing the regional strengths of our creatives in building the momentum necessary to reinvent Michigan, diversify its workforce, and attract and retain talent and business investment.
The creative industries include a wide range of nonprofit and for-profit businesses, leading the charge in innovation, building on and learning from the accomplishments of our past, and capitalizing on the talents of individuals changing the world around us.
From automotive design on Michigan’s east side to furniture design on Michigan’s west side; from architecture to graphic design; from filmmaking to poetry, and animation to symphony performances, each facet of the creative industries contributes not only economically, but also in creating the experiences, pride and communities people want to be involved in.
The creative industries are a powerful force contributing to the legacy of what Michigan is, has been and will become. Generating revenues, employing workers and making a name for the state that goes deeper than most realize, the creative economy is a vital ingredient leading Michigan to emerging stronger than ever before.
The creative industries include a wide range of nonprofit and for-profit businesses, leading the charge in innovation, building on and learning from the accomplishments of our past, and capitalizing on the talents of individuals changing the world around us.
From automotive design on Michigan’s east side to furniture design on Michigan’s west side; from architecture to graphic design; from filmmaking to poetry, and animation to symphony performances, each facet of the creative industries contributes not only economically, but also in creating the experiences, pride and communities people want to be involved in.
The creative industries are a powerful force contributing to the legacy of what Michigan is, has been and will become. Generating revenues, employing workers and making a name for the state that goes deeper than most realize, the creative economy is a vital ingredient leading Michigan to emerging stronger than ever before.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
About Jennifer Goulet
Jennifer H. Goulet is the President of ArtServe Michigan, the statewide non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating the creative potential of Michigan’s arts and cultural sector through advocacy, capacity building and strategic communications. She served on the merger negotiations team whose strategic efforts led to ArtServe’s merger with the Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies in fall 2006. She joined ArtServe’s staff in 2007 as its Director of Development and was appointed as ArtServe’s President in October 2008.
Prior to joining the ArtServe staff, Goulet served as the Executive Director of the Chelsea Center for the Arts, a vibrant community arts center offering visual arts and music programming, public art projects, and cultural economic development initiatives. Goulet also served as the City of Ypsilanti’s Downtown Development Authority Director and Community and Economic Development Director from 1993 to 2005 where she was actively engaged in leading community and downtown revitalization initiatives to re-energize this historic, struggling urban community.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Valparaiso University and a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University. She is also a 2004 Graduate and Fellow of the Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies Community Arts Leadership Academy.
Before moving to Michigan in 1993, Goulet was actively involved in Florida’s growth management efforts while serving as the Comprehensive Planning Director for Brevard County, Florida. She is Co-Chair of the Michigan Cultural Data Project Advisory Council and serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Nonprofit Association and Riverside Arts Center Foundation. Goulet formerly served on boards for ArtServe Michigan, the Arts Alliance of the Ann Arbor Area, Canton Partnership for the Arts, Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies, the Chelsea and Ypsilanti Area Chambers of Commerce, and the Ypsilanti Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
An avid knitter, Goulet resides in Cherry Hill Village in Canton, Michigan with her husband Jeff who serves as Community Planner for Canton Township, and 11-year old son Andres who loves music and baseball.
Prior to joining the ArtServe staff, Goulet served as the Executive Director of the Chelsea Center for the Arts, a vibrant community arts center offering visual arts and music programming, public art projects, and cultural economic development initiatives. Goulet also served as the City of Ypsilanti’s Downtown Development Authority Director and Community and Economic Development Director from 1993 to 2005 where she was actively engaged in leading community and downtown revitalization initiatives to re-energize this historic, struggling urban community.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Valparaiso University and a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University. She is also a 2004 Graduate and Fellow of the Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies Community Arts Leadership Academy.
Before moving to Michigan in 1993, Goulet was actively involved in Florida’s growth management efforts while serving as the Comprehensive Planning Director for Brevard County, Florida. She is Co-Chair of the Michigan Cultural Data Project Advisory Council and serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Nonprofit Association and Riverside Arts Center Foundation. Goulet formerly served on boards for ArtServe Michigan, the Arts Alliance of the Ann Arbor Area, Canton Partnership for the Arts, Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies, the Chelsea and Ypsilanti Area Chambers of Commerce, and the Ypsilanti Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
An avid knitter, Goulet resides in Cherry Hill Village in Canton, Michigan with her husband Jeff who serves as Community Planner for Canton Township, and 11-year old son Andres who loves music and baseball.
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