ThinkHaus - Building common ground within a creative economy

Summary

Sheboygan is a unique small town that defies expectations, blending creativity with economic growth. Known for its arts, cultural assets, and unexpected attractions like surfing and bratwurst, Sheboygan thrives on its creative economy. The town’s investment in the arts generates millions in visitor spending and sparks community development. Collaborations between the arts and economic sectors have revitalized the downtown and created ripple effects, attracting both businesses and talent. By continuing to foster these relationships, Sheboygan can maintain its distinctive identity while growing economically, proving that creativity can drive both culture and commerce.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sheboygan is an anomaly: a small working-class town with a creative economy, boasting unique cultural assets despite its size.
• 😀 The town has a beautifully restored historic theater, a world-class art center, a children's museum, and other cultural gems, which are rare for a town of its size.
• 😀 Sheboygan's creativity is key to its economic success, with local artists and organizations driving cultural and economic growth.
• 😀 The town has been labeled the 'Malibu of the Midwest' due to its unique mix of surfing and other outdoor activities.
• 😀 Creativity in Sheboygan extends beyond the arts, influencing industries such as architecture, advertising, and traditional manufacturing.
• 😀 The Sheboygan Performing Arts Consortium has 17 organizations and generates significant visitor spending, boosting the local economy.
• 😀 The Art Center alone generates over $10 million in visitor spending each year, underscoring the economic impact of cultural investments.
• 😀 The summer concert series revitalized downtown Sheboygan, bringing in over 14,000 people and generating nearly a million dollars in additional visitor spending.
• 😀 The success of cultural investments like the concert series has led to further private development, including a $10 million housing project.
• 😀 Collaboration between creative professionals and traditional economic sectors is essential to fostering Sheboygan’s growth and attracting talent.
• 😀 Sheboygan’s future depends on leveraging its creative assets through ongoing collaboration to maintain its unique, vibrant character.

Q & A

What makes Sheboygan unique compared to other towns of similar size?

Sheboygan is unique due to its rich cultural assets, such as a restored historic theater, a creative children's museum, and a world-renowned contemporary art center. These features are uncommon for towns of its size, making Sheboygan stand out as an anomaly.

How does Sheboygan's creative economy impact its local growth?

Sheboygan's creative economy drives local growth by fostering innovation and attracting visitors. The arts, design, and creative sectors contribute significantly to the economy, attracting tourism and enhancing local businesses, such as restaurants and bars, through events and cultural activities.

What role does creativity play in addressing Sheboygan’s labor shortage?

Creativity helps address Sheboygan's labor shortage by attracting young professionals who seek authentic, engaging, and dynamic environments. By investing in the arts and cultural activities, Sheboygan creates a community where talented individuals want to live and work.

How has the Art Center in Sheboygan contributed to the local economy?

The Art Center significantly contributes to Sheboygan’s economy by generating over $10 million in annual visitor spending. Additionally, it plays a role in attracting private investments and creating jobs, with its economic impact extending beyond just the arts.

What economic impact did Sheboygan's summer concert series have?

The summer concert series brought over 14,000 people to Sheboygan, generating nearly $1 million in visitor spending. The event revitalized downtown Sheboygan, contributing to a new private development investment of $10 million for housing.

What is the 'creative economy' concept, and how is it relevant to Sheboygan?

The 'creative economy' refers to the idea that creativity and ideas themselves can drive economic growth. In Sheboygan, this concept is central, as creativity within various sectors—arts, marketing, and manufacturing—fuels innovation, attracts investment, and strengthens the community.

How did the relationship between the creative and economic sectors help Sheboygan's development?

By fostering collaboration between the creative and economic sectors, Sheboygan was able to create successful initiatives like the summer concert series. This partnership allowed for a shared vision and led to new projects, investment, and a thriving local economy.

What is the significance of the 'sweet spot' or 'common ground' in Sheboygan’s development process?

The 'sweet spot' or 'common ground' refers to the overlap between the interests of creative and economic sectors. Finding this shared space allows for effective collaboration, ensuring projects benefit both areas and lead to successful outcomes, as seen with the summer concert series and other initiatives.

How does Sheboygan's downtown contribute to the community’s creative economy?

Sheboygan's downtown acts as a hub for cultural and creative activities, hosting events like the summer concert series, which revitalized the area. The downtown's cultural assets, including theaters and galleries, attract visitors, foster creativity, and support local businesses.

Why is it important for both creative professionals and economic developers to work together in Sheboygan?

It's crucial for creative professionals and economic developers to work together because their collaboration leads to innovative, impactful projects. By sharing perspectives and identifying common goals, they can leverage Sheboygan's unique assets to drive sustainable development while maintaining the town's character.