Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy
by Michael Cade, Thurston EDC Executive Director
It’s no secret that Thurston County is growing. The most recently available data for our annual GDP (which represents the value of goods and services produced within Thurston County) has now surpassed 17.6 billion dollars – nearly double what it was just ten years ago. This growth has significantly contributed to Thurston County’s recent national rankings for our strong economy. We are very proud that Thurston County has achieved such remarkable growth and has done so equitably. Thurston County ranks 4th in the nation for income equality according to the Chmura Analytics and Economics team based in Richmond, Virginia.
As economic development professionals, we also seek to understand the various economic sectors that contribute to a region’s employment and investment activities. This is critical in that it enables our team and our Board of Directors to build strategies that support emerging economic sectors, expand our existing markets and employers, and recruit new investment that would support our economic inclusivity and vibrancy.
Looking back at the same ten-year period, one of the most significant trends is the emergence and impact of the arts and culture sector within Thurston County. While our region has celebrated our incredible economic growth, our arts and culture sector has outpaced even our GDP growth with an increase of 170%. Sales in creative industries now account for over $1.2 billion of Thurston County’s total GDP and generate more than $310 million in local wages for occupations like film and video production, glaziers, and graphic designers.
With the establishment of two certified Arts Districts through the ArtsWA program (located in the City of Olympia and the City of Tenino), our region is well-positioned strategically to support the long-term growth of a regional arts economy.
As you consider these trends and your role therein, I would encourage you to consider the significant role and economic driver that four new pillars are and will be playing in expanding this sector—these being the Lacey MakerSpace, Olympia Arts Armory Center, Tumwater Craft Distilling and Brewing Center, and SW WA Agriculture and Innovation Park. With our nationally recognized economic growth and rapidly expanding arts sector, these new pillars will further act as a strong and supportive catalyst for the arts community in Thurston County and our wider economy.