Bringing creative industries into the spotlight

In Colorado, the arts are no joke. The state ranks fifth in the nation for concentration of artists, and arts industries comprise the fifth largest cluster of the Colorado economy. Creativity is more than a perk of proper civilization – it’s a source of income for millions of architects, writers, designers, performers and more.

But culture doesn’t just bring in jobs, it also brings in audiences. Colorado attracts “cultural tourists,” who stay 50% longer and spend 36% more than other travelers. And that money compounds: every $1 in cultural spending in metro Denver creates $1.32 for other businesses, producing $392 million in “new money” (revenue from outside the region) every year.

So it’s no surprise that state officials recently created Colorado Creative Industries (a merger of the Office of Film, Television and Media, the Colorado Council on the Arts, and the Art in Public Places program), a bold move that positions Colorado to take advantage of their creative potential.

Here in Fort Collins, Beet Street has taken up the task of attracting artists to the area. Maintaining proper venues and a reliable funding strategy for artists are just a few of the issues they are tackling with input from creatives in the area. Beet Street is also amping up the volume on public, accessible art with programs like Streetmosphere, which features local artists of all types on street-corners downtown on summer weekends.

Here at One Tribe Creative, we’re proud to support creative expression in all its forms. We know, first hand, that creativity enriches a community at every level.

For more information on the economic benefits of the arts, visit www.coloarts.state.co.us.
For more information on Beet Street, visit beetstreet.org.

Be Local: Spread the dough

Communities everywhere are strengthening their Local Living Economies, and they are starting to “think local” as a way to sustain the foundation of local businesses.

In Fort Collins, where One Tribe calls home, Be Local Northern Colorado is supporting local farms, garnering deep discounts at local businesses, and challenging the community to invest in homegrown resources. Their 20/20 Challenge asks people to pledge $20 of their weekly budget to be spent in local businesses. So far, 634 pledgers have spent $253,600. This money, as it circulates, is effectively a 1 million dollar investment in the community.

How, you ask? The proof is in the numbers: money spent with local independent businesses circulates 2-4 times in the local economy, even by conservative analysis. When we keep money in the neighborhood and produce goods close to home, it creates local jobs, reduces transportation costs, and keeps businesses accountable to stakeholders and the environment.

Find the Local Living Economy organization near you at livingeconomies.org.
See how Be Local Northern Colorado is generating community action at belocalnc.org.

One Tribe Creative has proudly worked with and supported Be Local Northern Colorado over the years.