Creative Economy

From advertising agencies to architectural and interior design firms, Greater Fort Lauderdale enjoys a thriving creative economy. This sector consists of businesses that create or distribute the arts, including museums and collections; performing arts; visual arts/photography; film, radio and TV; design and publishing; and arts schools and services. These arts-centric businesses play an important role in building and sustaining economic vibrancy: they employ people, purchase goods and services locally, generate government revenue and are a cornerstone of tourism.

Recognizing the importance of the creative economy to the region’s sustainable growth, the Alliance collaborates with many public, private and non-profit community organizations to increase awareness of the region’s many creative assets.

See Quality of Life for information about Greater Fort Lauderdale cultural institutions.

CreativeBROWARD 2020:  A Plan for Cultural and Economic Development in Broward County

In 2010, Broward County Cultural Division completed a community vision for the creative industries in the next decade: CreativeBROWARD 2020. Based on the belief that culture is an asset, it presents a bold vision for integrating cultural and economic development throughout Broward County. Its goal is to support Broward’s evolving culture in generating substantial new economic benefits, greater connections among its residents, and a distinctive community identity.  

This vision is based on Broward’s many past accomplishments in expanding its cultural life and infrastructure. Grounded in the diversity of the county’s population and culture, the vision embraces change and reflects the evolving role of culture in the community.

CreativeBROWARD 2020 calls for economic development of the creative industries for the first time as a unified cultural sector. The commercial and nonprofit, individual and organizational, fine and popular arts, culture and heritage—these formerly disparate elements are all assets to be leveraged for greater economic impact.

Involvement in arts and culture benefits the community beyond the economic sphere. Numerous studies conducted over the past 30 years have demonstrated that active participation in, and exposure to the arts have positive impacts on the lives of children and young people. They do better educationally, have greater tolerance for diversity, volunteer more, and are more employable.

CreativeBROWARD 2020 is Broward’s third cultural plan, sponsored by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. These successive ten-year plans have targeted the county’s investments in effective cultural development. Achievements include: the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District, ArtsParks, arts incubator at ArtServe, Cultural Information Center, a cooperative marketing program, Sailboat Bend Artist Lofts, and the Broward County Historical Commission.

For more information, visit http://www.broward.org/Arts/Resources/Publications/CulturalPlan2020.

Film and Entertainment

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau’s office of Film, Music, Entertainment & Creative Industries (OFME) focuses on all creative industries, including film, music, entertainment, art, fashion and special events. Since 2010, the county has hosted more than 800 productions from features to high-impact TV series, telenovelas, documentaries, independent projects, commercials, music videos and still shoots. 

The CVB’s office facilitates one-stop permitting, acts as a liaison to all Broward municipalities and highlights production-friendly hotels, among other services. It also positions Greater Fort Lauderdale with Film in Florida, the sales and marketing organization promoting the state for film and entertainment overall. 

The CVB’s Underground division focuses on film, music, fashion/shopping and creative culture, nightlife and special events. The division also promotes Greater Fort Lauderdale as a key destination for live music, concerts and entertainment venues as well as music festival opportunities. For more on the creative scene, visit sunny.org.