Creative Communities

I have been helping the New Mexico folks with some ideas on how to build upon their creative advantage. The center stage star is Richard Florida for this effort, but I'm throwing in my two-cents worth as a SME (subject matter expert). My job is to think about how to convert some of the more abstract ideas into practical actions.

First, it makes enormous sense for New Mexico communities to build upon their creative advantage. It comes from many different directions, but the one that I think is most powerful is its "design" expertise in jewelry, clothing, home furnishings and other products taking on a Southwestern look. It's very powerful and distinctive. And it's very old, being grounded in ancient Native American and Hispanic culture. There lies the power.

Click here to read a good earlier article that talks about some of this thinking in New Mexico.

Richard Florida is not the only expert in the world on creative communities and economies. You may find some of John Howkins' ideas to be of interest. Learn about his book, The Creative Economy here. Howkins identifies these priorities in building stronger creative economies:

1. Knowing What It Is. Psychologists, researchers and others are exploring links between the brain (as measured by brainwave activity), mind, consciousness and creativity.

2. Using It. Individuals need to know how to recognise, manage and develop their own creative skills. Having good creative skills in the 21st century - and knowing the law and economics - is as important as having good typing or computer skills was in the 20th century.

3. Turning Creativity into Money. The relationship between creativity and creative business products. What is the difference? At what point does a new idea become a product?

4. Economics. Economists are defining a 'new economics' based on information and ideas. They are exploring concepts of 'creative capital'.

5. Business Management. Managers need to know how to manage creativity within an organisation, both commercial and non-profit. How to encourage and reward people's creativity.

6. Law. Intellectual property laws cover patents, copyrights, trademarks and designs. (1) Public Policy. Patenting is in crisis as people claim patents for genetic matter, computer programs and 'business methods'. Copyright can't cope with digital copying. The laws need updating, urgently. (2) Individuals. People need to know how to protect their own ideas.

7. The Internet and Digital Media. Digital media are changing how creativity can be expressed, and how creative products are copied, priced and sold.

8. Public Policy and Governance. Complex issues require creative solutions. Governments and public bodies need to harness creativity to generate new approaches to public policy issues such as the environment, energy, transport healthcare and education.

9. Education and Training. Schools, colleges and educators need to teach creativity both generically and in terms of specific skills (management, law). They must bring creativity into the heart of the learning process, not only into the arts and media.