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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2009 > February > 13 > Entry
Kevin Riley: ‘Young creatives’ most powerful people in town
If you looked behind the scenes last week, you could see that the DaytonCREATE initiative is getting traction.
The initiative was launched last year with the help of economist and best-selling author Richard Florida. He urges communities that want to thrive economically to recruit and cultivate a “creative class” — artists, musicians, engineers and high-tech workers, all people who think and create for a living.
A number of projects have grown out of the work of Dayton’s creative “catalysts.”
For example:
—Film Dayton, created to support and grow a regional film industry, will partner with HBO Films to premiere an award-winning documentary here about Dayton native Sister Dorothy Stang. “They Killed Sister Dorothy” examines the murder of the 73-year-old Catholic nun, who advocated for the poor of Brazil and was trying to preserve the rain forest there.
—One of the public meetings on the Greater Dayton Downtown Plan took place at c{space, a 5,000-square-foot gathering spot at 20 N. Jefferson St. C{space grew out of the catalysts’ effort to promote street-level art, music and independent business downtown. A similar project in Providence, Rhode Island, is about 20 years old, and the fallout is credited with adding to that city’s vitality.
Watch a 4-minute video of graffiti artists painting the interior of c{space, 20 N. Jefferson St.
—Updayton, another of the DaytonCREATE groups, hosted a session at an Oregon District bar that drew about 50 young professionals. The group talked about the importance of entertainment and nightlife to attracting the “creative class.” This session was one of several “Pints and Perspective” gatherings the group is conducting in advance of its Young Creatives Summit on April 18.
We have something important going on here.
At the Oregon District session, the participants’ passion and interest were impressive. The meeting was informal and just barely moderated. But people grabbed the microphone and spoke candidly. And they weren’t intimidated by Dayton’s current economic problems or how hard it might be to make new things happen or to change things.
Updayton’s survey of about 500 young professionals shows that most of them are satisfied living in Dayton, although only 30 percent say it is a “better than average” place for young people. Seventy percent say they are satisfied with their job, but they are worried about new job opportunities (something they also consider very important). And one worrisome trend, according to the research: many expect to move away from Dayton.
It’s telling that the creative catalysts have gotten the attention of Gov. Ted Strickland; the state, not just Dayton, is trying to court young talent. The catalysts have invited him and other community leaders to their summit.
And it’s also telling that leaders of the new downtown initiative have come to this group for input.
As you sat at that Oregon District bar, it became clear that these people have power — maybe much more than they realize. The community’s many stakeholders need them, and no one stakeholder — not governments, businesses or colleges — can address their needs on their own.
The region’s young creatives can mold plans for downtown, riverfront development and other plans. They can demand regional cooperation for the greater good. After all, they are the people the region is supposed to be building for.
So let’s give them that power. And let’s urge them to put it to use.
Kevin Riley is the editor of the DaytonDaily News. Contact him at (937) 225-2161 or kriley@coxohio.com.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Columns, Dayton Creative Class Initiative, Kevin Riley
Comments
By Bill Pote
February 14, 2009 1:39 AM | Link to this
Kevin - as one of the catalysts who made c{space possible, I thank you for recognizing the effort. This city has an amazing wealth of talented artists, musicians, writers, and young professionals that make Dayton interesting. But they need to be recognized, supported and included in the decisions that are shaping the future of the city - otherwise we risk losing them to other cities that will embrace them. There is also another strong theme with most young creatives - they absolutely crave an urban downtown setting to live, work and play in. We have a foundation for that in our downtown but we need many people across the region to rethink how they feel about downtown and recognize that this is what is going to attract the young generation. If the region doesn’t support downtown then it risks losing that next generation to other regions that do embrace their urban cores - many of which were in much worse shape than Dayton not that long ago. Those with college-age kids understand, as many are watching their kids move away to more vibrant cities once they finish school. There are a number of us who are fighting to see our urban core reach its enormous potential. We aren’t bothered by many of the things that scare some people away. We only need more people to help create a critical mass that then creates the vibrancy that everybody wants to see downtown. And maybe one day, parents won’t have to see their kids move away - because everything they are looking for will be right here in Dayton, Ohio.By Sally Struthers
February 14, 2009 1:20 PM | Link to this
Kevin, Thank you for writing the nice article on the DaytonCREATE initiative. I am a Creative Catalyst in the “This is Dayton” group. The Dayton region not only has potential, but has a great foundation, already, with ample water, affordable housing, an excellent art museum in the Dayton Art Institute, a lively arts culture, and an extraordinary number of institutions of higher education, including one of the nation’s best community colleges - Sinclair Community College, a top-rate state university in Wright State, and an esteemed private university in UD.(I could go on and on about other colleges, as well - we have more than 22 in the Dayton region!) In the last few weeks I have seen plays at the Loft Theatre and Sinclair Community College, heard listened to music at theSchuster,attended symposia at UD and Wright State, visited the Dayton Art Institute,Sinclair Art Galleries,DVAC, and the Boonshoft, and eaten at several fine restaurants - all without leaving the Dayton Region. There are so many fun and cultural things to do in Dayton on any given day, that it is hard to choose what to do!By Sean Creighton
February 14, 2009 3:53 PM | Link to this
Kevin, thank you for recognizing the wonderful work of the creative “catalysts” who have given countless hours, invaluable thought, and tireless passion in service to DaytonCREATE. These original volunteers, and the many individuals that joined them along the way, have produced substantial accomplishments over the last year. Their impact illustrates the positive power of a creative, community-based approach to change. For every one of their planned activities, three times as many unanticipated synergies have resulted. From the onset, DaytonCREATE has been about giving emerging leaders the opportunity to generate economic prosperity, build community vibrancy, and improve quality of life. The initiative is both leading and aligning with other efforts emerging from our cities, region, State, and nation, a clear sign of the times and that transformational change is underway. The broader public can learn more about this initiative at www.daytoncreate.org, and discover their role in helping sustain the movement.By linda lombard
February 15, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this
what about us middle-aged or even old creatives?! actually, i was sorry i could not attend the cspace meeting, and i also have a commitment on the 17th. getting people to brainstorm is so much more effective than all the ‘studies’ we have had in the past. good on you all! let’s remember that the arts and cultural amenities are the bedrock of our downtown. i love the idea of better —or any— gateways, but let’s push the boundaries a little to include the art institute, the oregon and even the ud area southward. i hate giving up green space for an arena but understand the rationale. so where is the new green space? can we move the flyover? would the city cede that they can’t/aren’t taking care of it? more public art! on a sour note, almost every arts group in dayton is hurting, some very badly. the ballet is the tip of the iceberg. how can we help them get through this terrible downturn? we need more places to go downtown for a casual meal — lunch, dinner before a show etc. forget the fancy places — they are not what people want. and housing? maybe more affordable but certainly more ownership housing— not everyone wants to rent. i was sorry to not see more african american faces. how can we get that community involved? more questions than answers i guess!By Muhammad Daheem
February 15, 2009 3:57 PM | Link to this
It is a natural urge among human beings to move from their home towns to other places to seek better opportunities. A number of people moved from Europe to North America to seek their fortune. Unfortunately, lands of native North Americans were occupied by the invaders and weak Red Indians were forced to leave certain regions. The ‘new’ lands were gradually populated by settlers from different parts of the world. Talented professionals may not like to migrate from their home towns to urban areas or big cities. The odd circumstances force them to do so. The phrases such as “without heart there is no home,” and “there’s no place like home” show the importance of home. Millions of people migrate to big cities because of lack of facilities in their native areas. Unfortunately, these cities too have serious problems. From the environmental viewpoint, pollution of water, air, noise and artificial lights at nights are the major causes that annoy the people in big cities. Expensive residential areas and costly food items are the other problems of the people living in London, Paris, Tokyo and Washington etc. From social and psychological point of view densely-populated cities are harmful for human beings. The point is here that city population should not exceed a certain limit. For this new cities should be founded on the banks of river or at suitable places. “East or West, home is the best.” Even birds may not like to leave their nests without particular reasons. Migratory birds do so because of chilly weather and unfavorable circumstances. It is a matter of the survival. The centers of power are changing rapidly. Only those will survive who firmly believe in the dignity of labor. Talented young professionals in different fields may be a hope for the future generations.