As the world changes and our global needs for natural resources shift in response to the growing climate crisis, northern communities need to buckle down and examine our local economy reliance on resource extraction to support the job market. Investment in creative industry is crucial to implementing a community-focused revitalization strategy, enhancing our community’s pride and vibrancy for the next 50 years.
At the heart of creative industry is a drive to support innovation, entrepreneurship, imagination, and expression. It includes various cultural industries such as art, design, performance art, heritage, film, advertising, publishing and more. Creative Industry supports creative minds and allows our community to communicate openly with the world – and we have a lot to say!
Northern communities are essential to the global discourse on resource extraction, climate change, and the housing crisis. Our investment into creative industry will provide the means necessary to communicate those viewpoints. It also allows us to create new jobs that are innovative and creative, making our city attractive to young entrepreneurs and those who are enthusiastic about creating change.
Creative industry provides a natural progression for communities moving towards sustainable economic development outside the resource sector. Take Chemainus, for example, now known as the City of Murals. Once a mill town very much like Prince George, Chemainus was devastated by the B.C. recession in the 1980s. The city developed several community initiative grants that sought to revitalize the community through creative industry. The murals are now the main attraction for Chemainus, and the city is home to several art galleries, gift shops and local restaurants.
Other communities throughout B.C. have created similar arts and culture revitalization initiatives like the Arts Wells Festival in Wells and Revelstoke’s Luna Arts Festival. Here in Prince George, we have the wonderful Studio Fair hosted by the Prince George and District Arts Council and the upcoming Community Moves Festival created by Method Dance Society. It is events like these that allow our community to come together and support creative industry in the north, at the same time providing a fun and exciting environment for visitors in our community.
Individually, we can support creative industry in our community by actively engaging creators in our everyday lives and supporting creative projects. We can demonstrate this support in so many ways: purchasing work at a local gallery or business, attending a local performance, sponsoring a local event or just by expressing your support of local creatives. Now is the time for industry to partner with local creatives to empower our arts and culture sector, creating a new vibrant future for our region. As our community needs change and evolve, investing in creative industry will provide us with the jobs and infrastructure needed to support the shifting cultural landscape.
Shelby Richardson
Prince George
