This summer, the Delaware Arts Alliance will release details of its Advancing the Creative Economy and Expanding Tourism (CREATE) Plan, a plan for the growth and recovery of Delaware’s creative economy and cultural tourism sector, highlighting the positive opportunities and potential of combining tourism and the arts. When tourists visit a destination, they’re looking for more than just sights to see – they’re looking for authentic experiences that leave lasting impressions. Whether it’s local art galleries showcasing the work of emerging talent or our many local festivals, we offer visitors a glimpse into the heart and soul of Delaware.
The survey, which captured the views of more than 600 people across the state, highlights the challenges facing the creative community, including declining revenues, declining audience engagement and unrealized potential, and provides a path forward. The survey has three main components:
An online map showcasing Delaware’s creative assets Economic data showing the importance of the creative sector 25 recommendations everyone can take to support the growth and resilience of the creative economy
Delaware is the first state in the nation to release a coordinated, state, county and city-level research-based plan for the creative economy. It’s a blueprint designed to help the creative economy recover and grow post-pandemic, placing the creative and cultural industries, including nonprofits, for-profit businesses and individual creators, firmly at the forefront of economic development discussions.
In an era when innovation and creativity drive economic growth and social progress, supporting the creative economy and cultural tourism is not only beneficial, it is essential. The creative economy, which includes arts, culture, media and design, plays a vital role in fostering community identity, driving economic development and improving quality of life. To navigate the complexities of the modern world, it is important that policymakers, business leaders and the public recognize and support this dynamic sector.
Did you know Delaware’s creative economy is an employment engine supporting more than 18,500 jobs statewide? This includes:
10,520 direct jobs in creative fields such as design and performing arts; 4,021 indirect jobs supporting the creative sector such as suppliers and printers; 4,010 induced jobs created by spending within the creative economy, such as restaurants near arts venues.
Delaware’s creative economy generated an astounding $3.7 billion in output. Additionally, Delaware’s creative economy has an incredible production multiplier effect: for every dollar generated from the sale of goods and services in the creative economy, $0.60 is generated locally across other industries. This shows that investment in the creative sector drives broad-based economic growth across the state.
By developing policies that invest in cultural tourism and enhance the arts, we will empower local artists and artisans, create sustainable livelihoods, and preserve our cultural heritage for future generations. Delaware has an opportunity to establish a statewide cultural economy brand that will bring significant benefits to local communities through tourism and economic development. By leveraging the 25 recommendations articulated in the CREATE Plan, Delaware will have a unified voice for its creative economy and position itself nationally and internationally as a vibrant and growing arts and cultural hub.
To learn more about the project, please visit our website: https://delawareartsalliance.org/creativeeconomy
Join us at our upcoming launch event: https://airtable.com/appfKQqOVfnhsOxYv/shrIJAXfKWWjCB4ka
Neil Kirschling, executive director of the Delaware Arts Federation
