VoD: Catalyzing a Creative City

From professionally acting in New York, to working in media, advertising, marketing and video production, I have been in creative field for most of my life. I love the arts (fine and commercial) and know a city or community does its best when it's imaginative, innovative and, yes, creative.

My wife also works in the entertainment industry as a talent agent, representing many local and national actors. She and I often discuss the importance of Denver’s growth creatively -- especially in the area of film and theatre -- and are already seeing several positive movements.

 

We know from other popular cities that the more creative a city, the greater its growth potential. Creativity tends to precede the increased popularity of a neighborhood or town. Sometimes artists find a rundown (affordable) community, move in to do their craft and some developer, marketing, or real estate person "discovers" it; or an ad agency decides to move its crammed office to a warehouse district; or a corporate giant strategically invites cool interior designers and public artists to complete installations in its high rise; or someone opens a great restaurant. The point is, an infusion of creativity can make a community special and enticing.
 

Denver continues to become a more creative city, a movement that seemed to pick up when Governor John Hickenlooper, then the city's mayor, declared that in order to compete with cities like Austin and Seattle, we had to be more innovative in our way of doing…well…everything. Creativity was (and continues to be) the solution.
 

We have to continue on the quest to make Denver the most creative city we can, and the place to be if you want to make a difference in what happens your community, your nation, your world. It’s not a far leap to say that creativity not only helps a city grow, but it makes us all better. Think of the time you read a great book, attended a heart-wrenching play, visited an interesting art show, listened to some groovy music, walked down a street with stunning architecture or downloaded a fun app. Or just popped into a retail shop and picked up something made by a local artisan. It's moving, it's soul-changing, it makes you better. It makes citizens better.
 

Fostering a city's creativity goes beyond what we might consider "the arts," beyond bricks and mortar. Although much of my personal experience is in the fine and commercial arts, CREATIVITY is not limited to these fields. Architecture, manufacturing, technology, shoot, even ranching and farming -- any field blossoms when it encourages creative thinking, new ways of doing business. This is what Denver can be about.
 

I recently attended a few Denver Startup Week events and was blown away by the sheer number of people who are interested in Denver, people who want to take the huge risk of starting a business in our city. Some because they happen to have a home here, some because they see the city’s infinite possibilities or realize how wonderful Denver is.
 

I remember in my ad agency days we used fight for the same 12 clients instead of banding together. That collaboration alone would lead more businesses to consider Denver home. I’m not sure if it’s gotten any better in that field, I’m not sure if there’s an "ad club" or not, but I do know that there are some outstanding creative folks all over the ad world of Denver. Hopefully they’re playing nice.

It can't be me versus you in the archaic sense. It's not a war, it's a game. An important, fun, imaginative game we can all enjoy. Creative communities understand that there is room for everyone and welcome friendly competition. So if we're truly going to grow creatively, we’ve got to do it together in the spirit of collaboration. All of us are better than none of us.
 

I love this city. Most of all I love the people and possibilities. I’ve got so many friends who are big thinkers, great artists and writers, tech geeks, foodies and entrepreneurs, and they own businesses and have families and love the city, too. And I just want them to succeed and be on the forefront of Denver’s ultimate success.