I have made a discovery. Two weekends past I missed out on hugely important discussion that took place at Seneca College. The topic: York Region Arts. “Arts Exposed” was attended by folks from the public, private and nonprofit sectors who have a vested interest in the development of the York Region cultural scene. The forum examined arts and culture related issues with the end goal of creating strategies to develop cultural tourism and industry. The conference’s inaugural theme was “Arts Exposed,” and reportedly celebrated and recognized the familiar and lesser known cultural treasures of York Region.
Among the slated topics to be examined include diversity issues, audience development, building organizations and the economic boom that can happen from the arts. There were several speakers whom I admire including sociologist Dr. Richard Florida, authour of The Rise of the Creative Class and Who’s Your City?. Florida is noted for his examination of the creative class and how creativity is revolutionizing the global economy.
Florida’s talk was covered by the York Region Media Group in “Tectonic arts shift needed: expert” by Chris Traber. In the article Traber quotes Florida: “Yes, we need great technology and science and management, but arts and culture are critically important for a better human experience,” Mr. Florida said. “That’s the primary fuel. If you want to grow a community, you must invest in human capital. That’s the opportunity here in York Region.”
Wow! What an exciting affirmation of the things that many involved in the arts already see. Florida goes on to say “We think that by moving money around, we create real value,” he said. “No. The bottom line of the equation is that we all share creativity. It makes us human. Creativity needs to be be stoked, harnessed and unleashed.”
Attending the conference was friend of the Blue Bridge Festival, Leslie Bertin. Leslie Bertin represented Visual and Performing Arts Newmarket (VPAN) and she is the Artistic Producer of the Newmarket Group of Artists. She is also studying art at York University. Leslie took a moment to answer some questions about the event.
There was a panel discussion that touched on different visions of creative economies. The take-away was that each community must capitalize on it’s own uniqueness through history, and arts and culture. In in way, it sounds like York Region needs to “brand” itself with an image inspired by rich traditions and diverse people.
It was no surprise that when Leslie was asked about the high-lights of the conference, she immediately brought up Florida’s key-note address. “It was excellent!!” Her excitement shone through her words. She went on to explain that Dr. Florida described how York Region, in particular, is in a unique place to embrace arts and culture. In the past, the jobs and economic growth in the community came from manufacturing and agriculture. Now, the growth of jobs will need to rely on human capital and expanding the creative economy. “With a creative economy,” Leslie explains, “we are open to diversity and arts and culture are a critical piece of this equation.” Florida also stressed that the three key sectors of industry, technology and science, business management, and arts, culture and design, must work in concert to achieve optimized economic growth.
Leslie also said that, though she did not hear him speak, the CBC’s ultra-cool voice of Q, Jian Ghomeshi (formerly of Moxy Fruevos) was a huge hit. Not surprising to hear, considering the crowd, and the views I often hear from Q’s host over my CBC itunes radio stream (itunestream…iStream?).
And Leslie’s final thoughts? “I think it is the start of a process that does not happen overnight. I think the more the [York Region Arts Council] does to unify artists is a good thing. Partnerships were a major discussion topic. It is easier to find an audience with partnerships, easier to find money, easier to find stories to tell.”
These discussions need to keep happening in York Region. As Leslie mentioned, there need to be channels for stories to be told. It is heartening to see that the groups and individuals who have always provided a (somewhat hidden) vibrant cultural landscape are joining forces to wake-up our hockey-loving 905 enclave! York Region is filled with arts lovers, and supporters. Florida’s point is good: we want our community to grow so we should invest in human capital. We all share in the human experience of creativity, so we are right to collaborate and reap the fruits.
This is good news for the Blue Bridge Festival- an event that typifies the notion of collaboration. There is collaboration between municipalities, artists from many media, style, genre, cross-generational collaboration- you have it! Blue Bridge Festival is a home for children and adults alike. It is an event that celebrates the finest of the York Region creative class. An event that, this blogger thinks, Richard Florida would applaud.
Building Blue Bridges 