Delaware Arts Alliance

We're thrilled to announce that the CREATE Plan and DAA were recently featured in the Delaware Business Times! 🎉 DAA Executive Director Neil Kirschling shared our excitement about this groundbreaking initiative to strengthen Delaware's multi-billion dollar creative economy. This plan highlights the vital role of the creative and cultural tourism sector in our state's growth and prosperity. We're so excited to unveil the CREATE Plan this week, sharing groundbreaking insights and actionable steps to support our creative community. We hope to see you at one of our launch events! Read the full Delaware Business Times article: https://lnkd.in/g55YG5wW Visit our website to learn more about the project: https://lnkd.in/eueegwZj Join our mailing list to stay in the loop: https://lnkd.in/g25w9nTk

Welcome Jordan Resh, the new Engagement and Operations Coordinator for the DAA! Jordan is a native of Dover, Delaware, and graduate of Dover High School. Jordan continued her education at Brandeis University where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Health Policy, Peace, and Social Justice. Jordan then returned to Delaware and began her professional career with the Downtown Dover Partnership, working to help advance community redevelopment projects and revitalize the district, with a focus in the arts and implementing creative placemaking strategies. During this time, Jordan became an active member of the Dover Art League, starting as a student and progressing to join their Board of Directors. Jordan is also a graduate of Leadership Central Delaware, a Certified Tourism Ambassador through Kent County Tourism, and NASCAR staff for Dover Motor Speedway. Jordan is passionate about advocating on behalf of her community to improve quality of life, increase access to creative spaces, and promote arts opportunities that are welcoming to everyone. Jordan is a lifelong art lover, performing in Dover High School’s Marching Band and attending various arts and cultural events throughout the state. Jordan can now be found expressing herself creatively by experiencing local venues, crafting with friends, or working on her latest stained-glass project.

Delaware's creative economy is thriving thanks to many talented individuals, passionate organizations, and a supportive community. This strong foundation positions the state for long-term success in this dynamic sector. In fact, Delaware's creative and tourism industries are already major contributors to the state's economic well-being. However, our recent CREATE Plan survey revealed that funding remains a considerable challenge for both individual creatives and organizations. According to the survey, 67% of creatives and 68% of institutions reported not receiving any grants from state or federal governments in the past two years. Even for those lucky enough to secure funding, it often falls short of covering operating costs. This lack of support disproportionately impacts small businesses, leaving many individual artists and creatives without the resources they need. By investing in the creative economy, you're not just supporting artists; you're investing in a stronger Delaware. A thriving creative sector creates a ripple effect. It generates jobs in supporting industries, attracts tourists who spend money in local businesses, and contributes to the overall economic vitality of the state. The CREATE Plan unveiling is happening next week! Join our mailing list to stay in the loop: https://lnkd.in/g25w9nTk Visit our website to learn more about the project: https://lnkd.in/eueegwZj 📷: Dover Art League

Delaware's creative talent is undeniable, but to unleash this sector's full potential, we need to bridge a critical gap: accessible professional development. Our CREATE Plan survey found that both creatives and organizations crave training in business fundamentals. The top skills creatives and organizations reported wanting to improve include: marketing, social media and audience insights (61% for creatives, 76% for organizations), business management and fundraising (49% and 76%, respectively), and technology for creation/production (48% and 50%, respectively). By developing targeted training programs, we can empower both creatives and organizations, fostering a thriving creative ecosystem in Delaware. Stay tuned to hear more about the CREATE Plan's recommendations for expanding professional growth opportunities within Delaware's creative economy. The CREATE Plan unveiling happens next week! Join our mailing list to stay in the loop: https://lnkd.in/g25w9nTk Visit our website to learn more about the project: https://lnkd.in/eueegwZj

The New Castle County CREATE Plan launch event registration may be closed, but we have great news—you can still join us at our Kent County and Sussex County events! 🎉 Kent County Launch 🗓 Date: Wednesday, July 31, 2024 🕒 Time: 10am-12pm 📍 Location: Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village, 866 North Dupont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 Sussex County Launch 🗓 Date: Thursday, August 1, 2024 🕒 Time: 6:40pm-7pm 📍 Location: Freeman Arts Pavilion, 31806 Lake View Drive, Selbyville, DE 19975 RSVP this week to secure your spot in Kent or Sussex! Register at: https://lnkd.in/e8HU_HGR Visit our website to learn more about the project: https://lnkd.in/eueegwZj Join our mailing list to stay in the loop: https://lnkd.in/g25w9nTk 📷: Freeman Arts Pavilion

Our work developing the CREATE Plan, a roadmap to strengthen Delaware's creative and cultural tourism sectors, was recently featured in an article by Spotlight Delaware! The article explores the impact of the creative economy on our state, from job creation and economic stimulus to education and community vibrancy. We're excited to share the full CREATE Plan next week, including economic development data, a searchable online map of creative resources, and actionable recommendations for boosting the arts across Delaware. Read the article: https://lnkd.in/eGHjShfu Visit our website to learn more about the project: https://lnkd.in/eueegwZj Join our mailing list: https://lnkd.in/g25w9nTk

🌟 Meet some of the passionate people shaping Delaware's creative economy! As the Director of Marketing and External Relations at the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, Joseph L. Lewis, III leverages his 25+ years of marketing expertise to make Delaware a hub for artists, entrepreneurs, and businesses. Joseph's vision for Delaware is a vibrant creative ecosystem where artists, organizations, and businesses thrive together. This creative economy not only drives economic growth but also fosters a sense of community and attracts talent to the state. Read his full interview on our website: https://lnkd.in/ePtzrrXf Help us celebrate the creative economy in Delaware and share your story for a chance to be featured: https://lnkd.in/eM-auHc6 📷: Nick Wallace

✨ Discover why cultural tourism is vital for Delaware's future as Neil Kirschling, Executive Director of Delaware Arts Alliance, explores its impact in his recent article for the Delaware Business Times. This newly published piece dives into how we're connecting tourism to the arts and uncovering the state's vibrant cultural landscape with the launch of the CREATE Plan this summer. Shaped by extensive research and insight from over 600 stakeholders statewide, the CREATE Plan includes: 🗺️ An online map showcasing Delaware’s numerous creative assets 📊 Economic data highlighting the sector’s significance 📜 25 actionable recommendations for fostering a thriving creative economy Delaware leads the nation with this comprehensive blueprint, uniting state, county, and city efforts to support the creative sector's recovery and growth. Explore Neil's insights here: https://lnkd.in/ea6G2ecY RSVP for one of our upcoming CREATE Plan launch events: https://lnkd.in/eGp2yXrv Visit our website to learn more about the project: https://lnkd.in/eueegwZj

The official launch day for the CREATE Plan is almost here, and we hope you're as excited as we are! The CREATE Plan is designed to support the creative economy's post-pandemic recovery and growth. It’s full of helpful information and valuable resources, including an interactive map showcasing Delaware’s creative and tourism assets, economic data, and actionable recommendations for EVERYONE to support the creative economy. Mark your calendars for three exciting launch events across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties! New Castle County Launch 🗓 Date: Tuesday, July 30, 2024 🕒 Time: 2-4pm 📍 Location: Delaware Contemporary, 200 S. Madison Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 Kent County Launch 🗓 Date: Wednesday, July 31, 2024 🕒 Time: 10am-12pm 📍 Location: Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village, 866 North Dupont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 Sussex County Launch 🗓 Date: Thursday, August 1, 2024 🕒 Time: 6:40-7pm 📍 Location: Freeman Arts Pavilion, 31806 Lake View Drive, Selbyville, DE 19975 This event will be followed at 7pm by "Global Groove: A Journey Through Hip Hop's Evolution," an immersive experience celebrating the diverse dance styles and rich history of hip hop. Be a part of this historic moment and RSVP today! Registration closes this Thursday, July 18th: https://lnkd.in/e8HU_HGR Visit our website to learn more about the project: https://lnkd.in/eueegwZj Join our mailing list: https://lnkd.in/g25w9nTk

The CREATE Plan, informed by over 600 stakeholders through surveys and focus groups, revealed exciting possibilities for strengthening Delaware's creative economy and addressing its existing challenges. Here are some opportunities we identified: 💡 Delaware's creative sector has a highly educated workforce, with 60.3% holding advanced degrees, compared to just 42.7% in the general economy. 💡 Our asset map identifies many tourism, performing arts, and cultural heritage sites in close proximity to one another, showing potential for collaboration and mutual growth. 💡 Advocacy organizations are already actively working to improve equity in the creative economy for women, BIPOC, and other underrepresented creatives in Delaware. 💡 Delaware’s relatively small size can be an advantage, as creatives located throughout the state can more quickly and easily collaborate. A highly interconnected creative economy leads to growth that benefits the entire state. 💡 Additional funding streams, such as the lottery and franchise taxes, could support the creative economy. Stay tuned for the CREATE Plan unveiling later this month! RSVP for one of our launch events at: https://lnkd.in/e8HU_HGR Join our mailing list to stay in the loop: https://lnkd.in/g25w9nTk Visit our website to learn more about the project: https://lnkd.in/eueegwZj 📷: Rehoboth Art League