BY ROBIN MERO Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Friday, June 19, 2009
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/77492/
The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce wants to attract and support businesses involved in creative enterprise.
Creative enterprises are the state’s third largest employer, according to a 2008 study funded by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation – ranking behind transportation and logistics, and perishable and processed foods.
Traditionally, chambers have supported manufacturing and industrial members who produce products – but that’s evolving, Steve Clark, chamber president said. Fayetteville is becoming known for its wealth of local music venues, arts and entertainment.
In response, the chamber is forming an arts, entertainment and creative economy committee, tasked with helping businesses and individuals network with each other and prosper economically. “We’re not just for industries anymore,” Clark said. Julie Gabel will serve as a co-chair for the committee, which is still being formed. During the day, Gabel works in information technology. She has also been a singer, actor and director, and has a production company, Ceramic Cow Productions.
The chamber’s new focus on creative businesses will assist artists in networking and developing skills. Gabel said.
“I had to learn the ins and outs of the business community, and this is where the chamber can be helpful,” she said.
Creative enterprises include art, design, film and sound, broadcasting, photography, advertising, floral and interior design, fashion, dance, and media.
Many people use creative enterprises as secondary jobs, according to Deep Roots, a series of reports produced with funding from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. The series focused on ways to foster and grow creative industry in Arkansas, as the state loses manufacturing jobs.
In 2000, 12 out of every 1,000 persons employed in Washington County was a full-time artist, designer or performer, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. That’s the most recent data available.
For the state, that figure was 7 out of every 1,000.
The Fayetteville Chamber has 11 committees in place, including for leadership, agriculture, small businesses, and government affairs.
Some of the chamber’s 1,237 current members already include restaurants, a symphony, and creative endeavors. Clark envisions future members including diverse businesses such as bands, sculptors and painters, and performers.
“I think we’re first to recruit this creative group,” Clark said. “These don’t have to be large venues. They will be able to use the chamber facilities, and be part of a louder, sometimes more effective voice.”
A visit to the Saturday Farmer’s Market illustrates how the economy is fueled by musicians, artists and other such ventures, Clark said.
“Businesses in this group contribute to the tax dollars the city and county use for growth,” Clark said. “Because they’re here, they sell more clothes at Town and Country, more hamburgers at Hugo’s. There’s more money to pay for police, fire and parks. We want to recognize the creative contribution being made to our economy. It’s real.”
