Thank you to the many people who have been blog contributors to, and readers of ArtsBlog over the years. ArtsBlog has long been a space where we uplifted stories from the field that demonstrated how the arts strengthen our communities socially, educationally, and economically; where trends and issues and controversies were called out; and advocacy tools were provided to help you make the case for more arts funding and favorable arts policies.

As part of Americans for the Arts’ recent Strategic Realignment Process, we were asked to evaluate our storytelling communications platforms and evolve the way we share content. As a result, we launched the Designing Our Destiny portal to explore new ways of telling stories and sharing information, one that is consistent with our longtime practice of, “No numbers without a story, and no stories without a number.”

As we put our energy into developing this platform and reevaluate our communications strategies, we have put ArtsBlog on hold. That is, you can read past blog posts, but we are not posting new ones. You can look to the Designing Our Destiny portal and our news items feed on the Americans for the Arts website for stories you would have seen in ArtsBlog in the past.

ArtsBlog will remain online through this year as we determine the best way to archive this valuable resource and the knowledge you’ve shared here.

As ever, we are grateful for your participation in ArtsBlog and thank you for your work in advancing the arts. It is important, and you are important for doing it.

Unlocking the Gates: America's New Creative Economy

Compiled and presented by the ReCreate Coalition, which says, "Over the span of just two decades, the internet has unlocked the gates to the new creative economy. Today, creators can use a wide range of internet platforms to offer their art, videos, photographs, music and more directly to national and even global audiences — and earn money while pursuing their creative passions. In 2016, nearly 15 million Americans from across the country used internet platforms like Amazon Publishing, Instagram, Etsy and YouTube to earn income, driving the growth and expansion of the dynamic, multibillion-dollar new creative economy.

Now anyone with a creative idea and a Wi-Fi signal can be successful and make money on the internet, reaching millions around the globe. This first-of-its kind analysis examines just the tip of the iceberg of the entire new creative economy, demonstrating that millions of Americans rely on the balanced copyright policies that support internet platforms like Amazon Publishing, Instagram, Etsy and YouTube."

Authors Robert J Shapiro and Siddhartha Aneja compiled the first-of-its kind analysis of nine online platforms that now produce income for nearly 15 million Americans. This report begins to detail the economic impact of this new creative economy, driven by innovators, makers, and online entrepreneurs.

Report
Shapiro, Robert J.
1st
99
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File Title: 
Unlocking the Gates: America's New Creative Economy
Publisher Reference: 
ReCreate
Research Abstract
Categories: 
Artists-Resources for
Creative Economies
Creative Industries
Creative Workforce
Economic Impact
Visual Art
Is this an Americans for the Arts Publications: 
No
Description: 
Robert J. Shapiro and Siddhartha Aneja, ReCreate Coalition, February 2018
Image Thumbnail of Pub Cover: 
Image Caption: 
ReCreate Coalition Report
February 1, 2018