The board of Omaha Venture Group presents Nebraskans for the Arts with a grant to fund the development of the Creative Industries Council.
In 2014 a group gathered to create a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary community of creative thinkers that enjoy working together to expand their capacity for business growth, job creation, civic engagement and a vibrant community to live. With pilot project support from the Omaha Venture Group, the group has explored the opportunities to promote the Creative Industries in the Omaha area.
“Creative Industries” is defined as organizations that lie at the crossroads of arts, culture, business and technology whose work generates new knowledge, products, performances and information. Creative Industries include arts-centric businesses that range from nonprofit museums, symphonies, and theaters to for-profit film, architecture, and advertising companies.
Groups and initiatives are emerging across the country as local and state leaders look at the economic development possibilities of a vibrant creative economy. For example, Douglas County is home to 1,372 arts-related businesses that employees 6,648 people. The Creative Industries account for 4.6% of the total number of businesses located in Douglas County.
A survey was conducted in Spring 2015 to assess study into the needs of firms that make up the “Creative Industries” sector in Omaha. Data was also collected on the Creative Industries in Douglas and Sarpy County.
From the survey results and information collected on other local creative industries initiatives, the group developed the following mission statement:
Partners in Creativity (PIC) Omaha provides a hub of resources to help creative individuals and organizations grow, connect and thrive.
The group will continue to work to develop programs and activities to meet this mission. Please look for future updates.
