Title
Creative District Update
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive an update on continued development of Olympia’s Creative District.
Report Issue:
Whether to receive an update on continued development of Olympia’s Creative District.
Staff Contact:
Mike Reid, City of Olympia Economic Development Director
Marygrace Goddu, Inspire Olympia Program Manager and ArCH Coordinator
Presenter(s):
Mike Reid, Economic Development Director
Desiree Freeland, Downtown Projects Manager, Olympia Downtown Alliance
Background and Analysis:
The Creative District in Downtown Olympia is home to over 150 creative enterprises including theaters, galleries, breweries, professional artists and designers. Together they form an energetic hub that reflects Olympia's unique character.
Olympia’s Creative District was certified by the Washington State Arts Commission in 2019. This designation is a vehicle to concentrate support for artists and creative innovators, expanding their impact and helping to make Olympia a place where they can thrive. Current artistic, social and cultural enterprises represent a variety of arts-inspired activities and industries: from burlesque to brewing, dance parties to makers markets, high-tech 3-D printing to hand-crank letterpress art.
Creative jobs and a robust arts scene strengthen our community and attract fresh thinkers. The Creative District designation works to focus and enhance the many benefits of an inspired community.
In 2022, under contract with the City, the Olympia Downtown Alliance facilitated a strategic planning process centered on the work of the Creative District. This work was led by a Downtown Olympia Creative District Advisory Committee comprised of people who represent various artistic, business, and creative industry sectors, and included outreach to the broader community as well to develop a Creative District Strategy.
The purpose of the Creative District Strategy is to establish the identity of the Downtown Olympia Creative District as a unique place that advances opportunities for artists and creatives, while serving as a call to action for stewardship paired with outreach to marginalized communities. It offers a framework of goals with actionable long- and short-term initiatives to steward the District’s evolution. They include:
• Build Community by engaging a web of people, businesses and grass-roots organizations in positive, collaborative relationships;
• Support Artists and creatives with resources like training and advocacy to uplift and empower them;
• Promote and market by amplifying the voice of artists with marketing tools and community visibility;
• Advocate for Affordable Space for artists to work, practice, perform and sell their work; and
• Increase access to the arts for all in the community regardless of income, ability, background, or other barriers that people may experience.
This strategic planning effort contemplated options for what a future administrative structure of the Creative District might be. City staff are currently in discussion with the Olympia Artspace Alliance about a role for their organization in stewarding the District into an increasingly visible and impactful model for supporting the arts in our downtown.
Climate Analysis:
Elements that help to create a vibrant downtown also help contribute to climate action. Focusing growth and activity into dense neighborhood areas helps reduce dependance on cars, thereby cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Equity Analysis:
Downtown Olympia Creative District Strategy Advisory Committee developed a vision, mission and goals that center anti-racism, inclusion, and equity, and the group also developed a Racial Equity Statement for the Creative District to guide future administration.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Downtown Olympia, with regional impact.
Financial Impact:
Presentation and discussion only at this time, however implementation of the Strategic Plan will require resources to be identified in city budgeting process and through discussion with potential partners.
Options:
1. Receive the report.
2. Defer this item to a future meeting.
3. Do not receive the report.
Attachments:
Creative District 2023 Handout
Creative District Strategic Plan