The NH Creative Economy: What's the Story?

This article appeared in the Salem, NH Chamber of Commerce Magazine on January 15, 2020. As New Hampshire businesses face record low unemployment rates, the million-dollar question has become, “How do we attract and retain a talented and robust workforce?” While generous benefits packages can be compelling incentives for potential employees, it is no longer enough. Here enters what savvy business leaders, economic developers, and those who tout the virtues of art and culture recognize as the State’s major advantage – our creative economy.  At the New Hampshire Business Committee for the Arts (NHBCA) we cultivate relationships between businesses and art to ensure that the creative sector is recognized for its economic power in workforce and community development. Companies looking for a competitive edge invest in people who bring more than the required knowledge to their jobs. They know they need creative thinkers, collaborative team players, and effective communicators to build successful businesses.  These “soft skills” are fostered by the arts. They lead to a positive work environment and job satisfaction – the keys to employee retention.  Employers who recognize the importance of cultivating these qualities in their workforce see the value of integrated arts programming in schools. Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math are all elements in producing the next generation of talented employees as well as business and community leaders.

New Hampshire is home to many industries that are propelled by creativity and innovation, including engineering and architecture, advertising and brand marketing, research and development, manufacturing and software design, as well as publishing and media.  And, of course, it is the independent arts professionals such as musicians, dancers, and actors as well as individual artists and craftspeople who create goods, services, and entertainment that fundamentally shape our most interesting towns and cities. The arts build the communities in which those highly coveted employees want to live, work, and raise families. Creative individuals are the backbone of our cultural institutions, like historic sites, museums and theatres; they are teachers in our schools and professors at our universities; they are the entrepreneurs who prepare gourmet meals at our favorite restaurants and produce craft beer; they are the graphic designers who create invitations and event planners who make special occasions memorable.

New Hampshire employers, residents, and visitors all benefit from the creative sector. We help drive New Hampshire’s flourishing creative economy when we dine out, buy objects made in our own backyards, go to see performances, attend festivals, and hire writers, builders, interior designers, florists, and photographers. In fact, the creative sector contributes 2.3 billion dollars to the State’s economy every year – that’s right behind the construction industry’s 2.4 billion. Again, the arts are essential to building vibrant, diverse and prosperous communities. We can see this walking down a Main Street enjoying outdoor sculpture or colorful murals that beautify our cities. In one way or another, we are all presented with opportunities to appreciate or participate in the arts every day.  Understanding, promoting, and building partnerships between art and commerce makes New Hampshire a desirable place to put down roots.   Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

As New Hampshire businesses face record low unemployment rates, the million-dollar question has become, “How do we attract and retain a talented and robust workforce?” While generous benefits packages can be compelling incentives for potential employees, it is no longer enough. Here enters what savvy business leaders, economic developers, and those who tout the virtues of art and culture recognize as the State’s major advantage – our creative economy.  At the New Hampshire Business Committee for the Arts (NHBCA) we cultivate relationships between businesses and art to ensure that the creative sector is recognized for its economic power in workforce and community development. Companies looking for a competitive edge invest in people who bring more than the required knowledge to their jobs. They know they need creative thinkers, collaborative team players, and effective communicators to build successful businesses.  These “soft skills” are fostered by the arts. They lead to a positive work environment and job satisfaction – the keys to employee retention.  Employers who recognize the importance of cultivating these qualities in their workforce see the value of integrated arts programming in schools. Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math are all elements in producing the next generation of talented employees as well as business and community leaders.

 New Hampshire is home to many industries that are propelled by creativity and innovation, including engineering and architecture, advertising and brand marketing, research and development, manufacturing and software design, as well as publishing and media.  And, of course, it is the independent arts professionals such as musicians, dancers, and actors as well as individual artists and craftspeople who create goods, services, and entertainment that fundamentally shape our most interesting towns and cities. The arts build the communities in which those highly coveted employees want to live, work, and raise families. Creative individuals are the backbone of our cultural institutions, like historic sites, museums and theatres; they are teachers in our schools and professors at our universities; they are the entrepreneurs who prepare gourmet meals at our favorite restaurants and produce craft beer; they are the graphic designers who create invitations and event planners who make special occasions memorable.

 New Hampshire employers, residents, and visitors all benefit from the creative sector. We help drive New Hampshire’s flourishing creative economy when we dine out, buy objects made in our own backyards, go to see performances, attend festivals, and hire writers, builders, interior designers, florists, and photographers. In fact, the creative sector contributes 2.3 billion dollars to the State’s economy every year – that’s right behind the construction industry’s 2.4 billion. Again, the arts are essential to building vibrant, diverse and prosperous communities. We can see this walking down a Main Street enjoying outdoor sculpture or colorful murals that beautify our cities. In one way or another, we are all presented with opportunities to appreciate or participate in the arts every day.  Understanding, promoting, and building partnerships between art and commerce makes New Hampshire a desirable place to put down roots.