Strategic Focus: Arts & Culture Ecosystem

Desired outcome: A vibrant arts and culture industry that:

• is relevant to Silicon Valley
• nurtures emerging leaders, artists, and art forms
• leverages technology, diversity, and entrepreneurship
• experiments with new operating models
• inspires leadership, participation and investment

Why it is important: The arts and culture ecosystem entertains, inspires and enlightens our citizens; they provide creative experiences for our children that no longer exist in the schools; define and celebrate diversity and a culturally-engaging environment; nurture, engage and inspire a creative workforce; encourage self-expression; provide a critical source of revenue to local, state and national government; and play a key role in building a community.

What we have done: In order to help strengthen the arts and culture industry, 1stACT has convened Silicon Valley leaders to explore opportunities for cost reduction and resource sharing, messaging platform, and funding strategic investment, conducted industry research ecosystem, and developed a multi-cultural arts leadership program MALI. The journey is evidenced by key milestones and 1stACT continues to grow and connect a network of leaders and emerging leaders who care about the cultural and aesthetic quality of life in Silicon Valley through genARTS.

Priorities for 2009:

• Publish Silicon Valley's Cultural Ecosystem
• Engage the region in a dialog about the future of Silicon Valley's arts and culture industry
• Create an arts and culture messaging platform
• Explore a Creative Center for the Arts
• Deliver Multicultural Arts Leadership Program
• Determine next steps for growing Artsopolis to flagship status
• Develop funding strategies for increased investment in the ecosystem
• Build the pipeline of local arts and culture Board members

If you have any questions or would like more information, please direct your inquiry to Joshua Russell, Director of Communications and Emerging Initiatives at jrussell@1stact.org