Creative Economy resources added to sidebar

I've added a number of information resources to the sidebar. Of course, more will be added as I acquire them, but here's a nice sample:

From the Memphis Manifesto:

Creativity is fundamental to being human and is a critical resource to individual, community and economic life. Creative communities are vibrant, humanizing places, nurturing personal growth, sparking cultural and technological breakthroughs, producing jobs and wealth, and accepting a variety of life styles and culture.

and

1. Cultivate and reward creativity. Everyone is part of the value chain of creativity. Creativity can happen at anytime, anywhere, and it’s happening in your community right now. Pay attention.

2. Invest in the creative ecosystem. The creative ecosystem can include arts and culture, nightlife, the music scene, restaurants, artists and designers, innovators, entrepreneurs, affordable spaces, lively neighborhoods, spirituality, education, density, public spaces and third places.

From the New England Council Creative Economy Initiative we have this:

Arts education teaches the very skills that will be required by the 21st century workforce as a whole, not just those who work directly in the arts and cultural sectors.

and

Because creative activity affects all area of the economy, including those that aren't necessarily directly associated with the arts, decision makers at every level will need to have a hand in determining cultural policy.

Happy reading!

PGSO gets grant, or how our community gets an economic shot in the arm because of performing arts

The Prince George Citizen reports today that the Prince George Symphony Orchestra has received a $60,037 grant from the Vancouver Foundation, Canada's largest community foundation.

The dollars match those from private donations earmarked for endowment, which have been invested with the Prince George Community Foundation, and the investment income will be used by the PGSO to maintain fiscal stability and pursue new initiatives which will enhance programming for the community.

This is a perfect example of how big money comes to our community from the outside because we have professional performing arts organizations. The BC Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and BC Lottery Corporation are also big funders of this particular organization, and this "reclaiming" of our tax money sent out of our community depends on organizations like the PGSO.

Imagine what more could be done with a propper facility.