Creative Chambers

The Creative Chamber Pilot Program works directly with the local business community and charges them with the task of engaging their local creatives to address the industry segregation that is apparent across the state and within state government.

Creative Chamber Pilot Program Proposal

Presented by the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office

Purpose

A talent attraction initiative that bolsters economic development and the creative industries by engaging the local business and creative community.

Overview

Michigan is blessed with a strong and vibrant creative and cultural economy. The Michigan Film & Digital Media Office (MFDMO) is making it a priority to empower communities to grow their creative industry.

Syndicate for the purposes of attracting more and better creative jobs
Create a creative and culturally-friendly environment making communities an attractive place for individuals to live, work and play
Encourage the retention and growth of talent in the creative and cultural economy

The first round of pilots focuses on five communities that have demonstrated a desire to grow their creative and cultural identity and where empirical data supports this goal. Those identified communities include Detroit, Washtenaw County, Grand Rapids, Traverse City, and Marquette.

Promotion and marketing of the Creative Chamber structure would be modeled after the proven Pure Michigan campaign. Pure Michigan promotes the state as a whole and then partners with specific communities to showcase their unique region and opportunities available in that area. The Creative Chamber promotion would market Michigan as the state that creates things through design and innovation. Partnerships with the identified communities would yield the opportunity to highlight their specific and unique support, opportunities and successes related to the creative industries. Additionally, whereas Pure Michigan promotes tourism of the state, the Creative Chamber promotional campaign would promote Michigan as the place where individuals want to live, work and play.

Supporting Evidence and National Trends: The Creative Chamber pilot program is Michigan’s response to the national and international growth of the creative economy. In 2014, the Creative Industries yielded $698 billion to the U.S. Economy and 4.7 million Jobs. Specifically to Michigan, the creative economy contributes nearly 89,000 jobs in over 10,000 businesses generating over $4.09 billion in wages. This represents a growth of 1.5% in Employment and 8.5% growth in wages since 2011.

Sign Up Today to Work With Creative Chambers

Calling all Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Marquette and Traverse City creatives in:
1) Advertising
2) Architecture
3) Arts Schools, Artists & Agents
4) Creative Technology
5) Culture & Heritage
6) Design
7) Fashion, Garment & Textile
8) Film, AV & Broadcasting
9) Literary, Publishing & Print
10) Music
11) Performing Arts
12) Visual Arts & Crafts

The Michigan Film & Digital Media Office and its designated 5 local business organizations are here to serve you! Our partners are working at the local level to help you unleash your potential as a creative, grow your creative or traditional business and elevate your community as a great place to live, work and play. First thing’s first - we need to know who and where the members of Michigan’s creative industries are. Please help us serve you by completing the form below. This information is critical to informing future outreach and engagement, which will be led by our designated local business partner.

Creative Chamber Pilot Communities

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber

Media Contact:
Katie Jones, Director of Marketing and Events
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (734) 214-0105

Program Contact:
Diane Keller, President and CEO
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (734) 214-0102
Website: http://www.a2ychamber.org/

Downtown Detroit Partnership

Media Contact:
Kailey Poort, Communications and Marketing Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (313) 949-9770

Program Contact:
Gina Cavaliere
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://downtowndetroit.org/

Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce

Media Contact:
Mia Jankowiak, Director of Marketing and Communications
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (616) 901-7334

Program Contact:
Dante Villarreal, Vice President of Business Services
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.grandrapids.org/

Marquette Chamber of Commerce

Media and Program Contact:
Nick Steffey, Executive Director, Marquette Chamber of Commerce
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (906) 225-1693
Website: www.marquettechamber.com

Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce

Media and Program Contact:
Kent Wood, Director of Government Relations
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (906) 225-1693
Website: http://tcchamber.org/