A Shout Out to Spokane's Creative Class

Picture: Quail feather caught on some brush on a hillside in Spokane Valley.

I came across this article in the Ottawa Citizen about the way the "creative class" is leading the charge in the economic growth of more rural areas, as opposed to traditional manufacturing and construction sectors. I couldn't help but think of Spokane and our Inland Northwest Region.

The article references a study;

Canada's Creative Corridor shows that job growth in rural Eastern Ontario between 1996 and 2006 was led by far by Creative Class workers, at over 25 per cent -- ahead of the working class (manufacturing and construction) at 13 per cent, the service class (retail, food, personal services) at 10 per cent and the agricultural and resource class, where jobs actually fell by 21 per cent.

He defines the Creative Class as "teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, accountants, engineers, and programmers as well as our artists, musicians and designers."

Here's the part that really grabbed my attention:

The report identifies several assets that have contributed to the success of the creative economy in rural Eastern Ontario.

These include an educated work force, a significant base of educational institutions, an ethos of innovation that has been demonstrated across numerous domains (for example, food, agriculture, health care, manufacturing), recreational and other amenities that contribute to a high quality of life, a culture of environmental sustainability (green agriculture, renewable energy, local food and local business support) and a regionally focused economic development strategy that includes the creative economy.

What about Spokane?

• Educated work force and significant base of educational institutions? Check.
• Recreational and other amenities that contribute to a high quality of life? Check.
• An ethos of innovation? There are pockets of innovation but I'm not sure it adds up to an ethos.
• A culture of environmental sustainability? There are some good things going on in this area but I'd hate to think about where we'd be if not for Jim Sheehan and his efforts downtown. One person does not a culture make.
• Regionally focused economic development strategy? I see the Buy Local signs around but beyond the marketing strategy I'm not aware of a comprehensive economic development strategy for our region.

I don't agree with the class distinctions assumed in the article. For example, farmers are among the most creative and innovative folks I know. But I do agree that it's the creatives of Spokane, in all their wonderful varieties, that will lead the charge in Spokane of cultivating a more vital future.

But where are you? Where are the cultural creatives of Spokane? Where are the craftsmen of culture? Where are the excavators of ethos? Spokane needs you.

Comments

[CreativeClassBully]

this is nonsense...
Look behing the numbers including employment in social services and government funded employment (nurses, teachers, etc.) can hardly be seen as growth from creativity - its growth from government spending and tax increases.
The guy now in Toronto who dreamed up this ridiculous idea is discredited except by those who stand to make money from it.
Yes it's important to produce educated people - that is nothing new. And commercial invention is one way to create wealth through traded sector activity.
But trying to attract starving artists is hardly a way that great economic centres are built.
Spokane's future is there if you just look for it.
As far as the dreamer who came up with creative class - you can have him... For $250k a speaking engagement ... and be no richer in ideas than you were a decade ago.

[Craig]

Speaking of nonsense, "trying to attract starving artists" is a pretty nonsensical way of summing up the intent of the post and the idea of nurturing a culture of creativity and innovation.

I wholeheartedly agree that Spokane's future is there if we just look for it. There is a story waiting to be authored here but it's going to take people stepping forward to craft that story. My question is, where are the folks crafting and innovating that story? They are here but I think we have a long way to go in raising up those voices.

Go here (http://www.yearofplenty.org/2009/12/the-day-the-new-york-times-reporter-came-to-millwood.html) for a recent post on this topic.

I think Colville is a great example of innovators in a rural setting really shaping a community ethos. It's restaurants like Lovitt and farmers like the Olsen's who are signs of a thriving food community.

[Steve Smoot]

Suggesting that a University of Toronto professor might get "250K" for a speaking engagement is a s t r e t c h.

Denying that a creative group of people can spur innovation is a good example of how irrational thinking can hinder progress.

Can't deal with the possibility of change? Just turn away from reality and go with something more comfortable.

Or, take a deep breath and give it a go!

[Melissa]

Besides my day job as a teacher, I am enjoying cultivating some micro-cultures. A friend of mine and I have created a basketball team for 4th and 5th graders at our school. We created the team for many reasons: we wanted to teach our children about basketball and give them playing time. We wanted to give back to our community (the program is free). I wanted the girls to be able to experience the pure joy of basketball without pressure from people in the bleachers. There are many other reasons also. I am really enjoying watching these girls have so much fun as they learn about basketball. I have also started a Family Art Workshop at our school. My love for visual art allows me to facilitate the workshop for free. It is so much fun to see the parents and children make art. Another culture that I enjoy in Spokane is the Millwood Farmers' Market. I grew up in a very small town where everyone knew each other. When I was in the seventh grade our town had a party to dedicate our new town hall and library. Practically the whole town of 1200 people gathered outside on the street at Christmas time to dedicate the new building. Santa arrived on a fire truck and everyone sang Christmas carols. I felt a strong community happiness, kind of like the feeling that is portrayed at the ending of It's a Wonderful Life. I haven't had that kind of feeling in a long time. Two days before Christmas this year I stopped in at the Millwood Farmers' Market to buy a gift for some friends. Since I frequent the place, most of the vendors know me by name. As soon as I stepped foot in the door I was greeted by a vendor. I said hello to everyone, visited with a friend of mine that was also there shopping, made my purchase and left. As I walked out the door into the dark of night, that old feeling came over me that I had in seventh grade. I felt happy. It was a happiness that was produced by a culture. A community culture of the farmers' market. Lastly, I spotted another culture opportunity in the Spokesman Review's 7. There was an ad for: Cultivating Success Agricultural Entrepreneur Class. Presented by WSU Spokane County Extension and Spokane Community College's Continuing Education Program. Local small farmers and ranchers are invited to learn how to develop a business plan for their operation. Class starts Jan 5-Mar 23. call (509) 533- 8010

[Hillary]

As a supposed member of "the creative class" (a physician), I have a real problem with this Ottawa Citizen article. I disagree with the idea that any profession has the market on "creativity". No question our communities benefit from having a large number of educated people but to support teachers, physicians and artists we have to have an economic base of workers who make and sell something. As a country, I think we disillusion ourselves in thinking we don't have to manufacture things but survive as a service, banking and entertainment behemoth and that only gets us so far. Now if we are talking entrepreneurism and small business growth, I'm a believer. That is our strength(wherever it comes from-teachers, nurses, mechanics, farmers etc) and I believe our future.

[Craig]

Thanks for sharing everyone. Enjoyed reading through the responses.