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the quality of creative engagement in the Okanagan through publications, events and collaborations.
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The Creative Economy
THE CASE FOR THE OKANAGAN
» Wednesday 9 June 2010 | 5 pm
» Kalamalka Café, Okanagan College, Vernon
An informal afternoon hour showcasing ideas and people in the Okanagan creative economy. Join us as publisher and creative entrepreneur
Robert MacDonald presents a vivid and compelling argument for why and how the Okanagan is ideally situated for a social and economic renaissance.
» $2 at the door. Refreshments are available.
» Please reserve a seat at this presentation HERE.
Proposing a Framework for Creative Leadership in the Okanagan
Imagine standing at the transition from the agrarian economy to the beginning of the
industrial revolution and being able to see the economic transformation that lay ahead. Now imagine the economic opportunities that vision would have represented. The shift today to a creative economy represents a similar historical moment - and opportunity.
The creative economy is driven by knowledge and innovation - by people paid to think; it is as much about architects as artists, programmers as potters, bohemians as brokers, entertainers as entrepreneurs. The creative economy is industry-agnostic and supports creative people who work across all industries and sectors - including manufacturing, government, healthcare and agriculture.
On Wednesday, June 9th at 5 pm the alternate weekly Okanagan Institute Showcase series at the Kalamalka Café, Okanagan College, Vernon presents The Case for the Creative Economy. Join us as publisher and creative entrepreneur Robert MacDonald presents a vivid and compelling argument for why and how the Okanagan is ideally situated for a social and economic renaissance.
Richard Florida famously coined the 'Three-T's' of Technology, Talent and Tolerance to define the
conditions for success in the creative economy. Recently he added a fourth T - Territory to signal
the critical role played by quality of place in attracting people, talent and investment. Paradoxically, in a global world, place has become more, not less important. People want to live in distinctive places with unique characters and identities. The Okanagan has abundant history and culture, picturesque landscapes and natural assets - all very attractive to creative workers and entrepreneurs.
There are a growing number of small and medium-sized creative businesses responding to consumer demand for original and local place-based products and services in the fields of information, technology, design, food and wine, hospitality - to name a few. One often-cited example of a creative economy success story is the Okanagan's wine industry. But that's just the beginning of the story.
 Robert MacDonald has had a long and distinguished career in publishing, education and technology. He was the Director of the Publishing Workshops at the University of Toronto and the Banff Centre for fifteen years. He was a founder of the Canadian Periodical Publishers Association and the Graphic Arts in the Public Service Foundation. He has consulted for - and started - book, magazine, multimedia and software publishing companies in Canada and the US. He has lived in the Okanagan for 12 years, and during that time been involved in a wide variety of creative and community activities. He is the Publisher in Residence at Okanagan College and the Director of the Okanagan Institute.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER ONLINE CLICK HERE
The Case for the Creative Economy takes place at the Kalamalka Café on the campus of Okanagan College in Vernon. This is the 4th event the Institute has held there, and the 143rd public presentation offered by the Okanagan Institute since 2007.
Showcase is directed, convened and hosted by Katie Brennan and Robert MacDonald. The Institute has played host to many Okanagan luminaries, including former deputy secretary general of Amnesty International Derek Evans, artists Lee Claremont and Gary Pearson, BC Book Award nominee Don Gayton, CBC Literary prize winner poet Harold Rhenisch, distinguished editor and author Jim Taylor, poet laureate and professor John Lent, creative entrepreneur Nikos Theodosakis, animator and filmmaker Jim Cliffe, community activist Don Elzer, dancer David LaHay, architect Jim Meiklejohn, culinary artist and writer Heidi Noble, broadcaster Marion Barschel and many others from a wide range of creative fields.
The Okanagan Institute is a group of creative professionals that has gathered around the goal of providing events, publications and services of interest to enquiring minds in the Okanagan. We partner with individuals, organizations, institutions and businesses to achieve optimal creative and social impact.
Our mission is to ignite cultural transformation, catalyze collaborative action, build networks and foster sustainable creative enterprises. We invite the participation by all members of the creative community.
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