A Fort Wayne arts organization is trying to map the impact of the region’s creative community on the economy.
The non-profit Wunderkammer Company received $20,000 from the Knight Foundation to produce the Creative Census.
The organization wants to identify all creative sector employees - everyone from fine artists to computer programmers -- and better understand how they affect the broader economy. Organizers hope to use the census to bolster economic development.
The director of Wunderkammer, Dan Swartz, says Fort Wayne’s creative economy is growing rapidly, and that research shows retaining talent is the best way to attract more talent. He says this project could be a game changer for the region.
“There’s a lot of things here that nobody knows about outside of Fort Wayne," says Swartz, "but we have tons of great assets that could be better if they were highlighted they could continue to grow.”
The census’ research phase is already underway. Swartz says he plans on partnering with other organizations to implement neighborhood improvement projects that result from that data, which will also be available for city planners, legislators, and other arts organizations.