AMO Economic Development Task Force – September 17, 2010 The Creative Catalyst

THE CHANGING FACE OF HAMILTON

The most “common” perception of Hamilton

We have more waterfalls & trees than any other city in Canada

Hamilton - the best kept secret in Southern Ontario

QUICK FACTS Population of over 500,000 people Over 1000 square kms 60% of our land mass is rural 9 th largest regional economy in Canada based on GDP Located on Lake Ontario within an hour’s drive of Toronto and the U.S. Border in South-Western Ontario

Conference Board Report Third fastest growing economy in the country(Vancouver & Toronto) Hamilton economy expected to grow by 3.3% in 2010 Growing Arts and Creative Community

A CHANGING CITY Always a ‘Steel Town’ Largest Employer is Hamilton Health Sciences at over 10,000 staff Water, Escarpment, Trail Systems, Trees, Historic Buildings, Affordable Housing, Education… CULTURE

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Top Business Development Priorities: Advanced Manufacturing Agriculture and Agri-Business Clean Tech Goods Movement Life Sciences Creative Industries

CREATIVE INDUSTRIES Film/Video/Broadcasting Design and Digital Media Music

CREATIVE CATALYST Imperial Cotton Centre for the Arts City as Partner Catalyst is a spur Arts vs. Creative Industries

SUCCESSFUL MODELS Key Factors established demand for space combination of market rate commercial space and community rate space risk taking to define the size and complexity of the initial site most are designed with growth models multiple partners / sectors are required self-sustaining model municipality must play a role in the development located near geographic icons, transportation nodes and/or downtown cores bring together multiple sectors (education, production, distribution, public, retail to develop an aligned industry)

SUCCESSFUL MODELS NSCAD Post Campus Halifax, NS IDAT Media Cube Dublin, Ireland Grandville Island Vancouver, BC Fort Points Boston,MA Parisian Laundry Montreal, QC VisArts Centre Rockville, MD Kinnear Centre Banff, AB …and countless others

INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT Cultural Producers Artist Studios Recording Studios Film Production New Media Developers Small Business Social Enterprise Linkage / Synergy Networking Distribution Opportunities Tourism Capabilities Event Management Industry & Related Retail Community Engagement Gallery / Exhibition / Concerts Tenant Interaction Industry Networking

SOCIAL / CULTURAL BENEFITS A shared vision and climate of creativity Employment opportunities; Increased visitors; Improved quality of life amenities; Cultural engagement and access; Improved retention of post-secondary graduates; Improved safety Improved perception of the Downtown as vibrant place.

ISSUES ARTS VS. BUSINESS WHO OWNS IT? WHY ARE THEY GETTING MONEY? POLITICS

WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR THE CREATIVE CATALYST?

NEXT STEPS Engage anchor tenant(s) Engage funders Development of community tools to enhance the existing industry Create formal opportunity for private investment Reach out to broader creative industry

WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED Be clear in defining your project Know your audience Be careful who you involve – meaningful partnerships Don’t set inappropriate expectations Perception rules the day Identify and cultivate your champions

WHAT’S LIES AHEAD FOR HAMILTON

HAMILTON - LRT

Thank You