CreateHere Announces Community Survey Results, Creative Development Grants and '24 Hours on the Southside'
CreateHere - a collective rethink project promoting Chattanooga's economic and cultural development through creative artists and entrepreneurs - announced the lineup for its first round of programs today. Three months of research and evaluation, primarily focused upon surveys of Chattanoogans, have led to a three-part program launch.
The first part is public access to CreateHere's survey results, gathered through personal interviews as well as the "virtual suggestion box" found on the CreateHere website. More than 10,000 visitors have come to the site in the three months since it went live, generating a tremendous amount of feedback about issues important to Chattanoogans involved in artistic and creative business ventures.
"These survey results, rich in information, are now available to local businesses that are hoping to attract and retain young and creative employees," said Creative Strategist Josh McManus. "Even more, they send clear messages to the community about how to engage the young leaders who will carry Chattanooga well into the 21st century and beyond."
According to independent analysis of the survey responses, Chattanooga's young and creative professionals are attracted to the city's natural environment, community feel, size and accessibility, improvements and downtown area. Topping the list of most-wanted improvements are education, the number of artistic and musical events, politics, job opportunities, and pedestrian-friendly areas. Respondents are eager to preserve Chattanooga's environment, community feel, willingness to improve, friendliness and outdoor activities. For a call to action, survey participants said they would love for the near future to hold more local opportunities for artists and developers, environmental initiatives, organic and recycling efforts, clubs and music venues, job opportunities, public transportation and airport expansion, and a growth in downtown shopping. Even as CreateHere moves into its initial program phase, the group's web site continues to serve as an opportunity for community members to voice their hopes for the city
"We believe that an active, engaged community is necessary to continue our city's tremendous history of innovation, rebirth and revitalization," said Creative Strategist Helen Johnson. "Our surveys and research of best practices in other cities were the first step in bringing together the thoughts of a wide variety of people, developing a collective imagination and working alongside each other to move vision toward reality."
The second CreateHere program to be launched is the planning phase for more than $150,000 in grants aimed to develop the creative community. Ranging from $500 to $20,000, these grants will be awarded for innovative career advancement, artist studio space, and innovative projects. Open to artists and artisans in multiple disciplines, funding will be awarded through a competitive jury process. Applications and guidelines will be available via the CreateHere website, beginning in February 2008.
The third program is CreateHere's first event, '24 Hours on the Southside'. Preparation is beginning immediately for a twenty-four hour, non-stop event on December 8th that will feature tastes of neighboring restaurants, new businesses, artist and artisan studios and other creative community expression. More information will soon be available at CreateHere.org.
Media Contact
Deborah Kaufman
deborah@createhere.org
423.304.7603
Posted by CreateHere