The Cultural Alliance of Greater Milwaukee has changed its name to the Creative Alliance Milwaukee, Inc., in order to broaden its mission to serve the more than 4,000 businesses in the creative industry in southeastern Wisconsin.
The Alliance’s January release of Creative Industries: A New Economic Growth Opportunity for the Milwaukee 7 Region demonstrated that the creative industries have a significant impact on the community and are critical to growing the regional economy. “The mission of the new organization is to strengthen, advance and represent the creative industries as an essential asset to growing a vibrant, attractive region,” said Christine Harris, executive director of Creative Alliance Milwaukee. “It was clear from the project results that providing a strong support system for the creative industries will give this cluster the best chance for sustainable economic growth.”
According to Harris, a survey among readers of the organization’s e-newsletter determined the new name.
Jill Morin, executive officer of Kahler Slater, and Mike Jones, vice president of MillerCoors, are the newly elected board co-chairs of Creative Alliance Milwaukee.
“Our organization is lucky to have secured the working co-chair and the honorary co-chair of the Creativity Works! Project to continue their great work by building a resources and services hub to support the growth of our region’s creative industries,” said Dean Amhaus, executive director of Milwaukee Water Council, and immediate past chair of the Cultural Alliance.
At the unveiling of the new name, the Creative Alliance also unveiled The Creative Hub, its new web connectivity system designed to connect, convene and leverage the breadth of the creative industries in the area, as well as connect the larger business community to creative talent and businesses.
The website is being built by Spreenkler Creative and will include job listings, a creative resource directory, event listings, advertising opportunities and other items. The organization also unveiled a new membership program available to organizations and individuals. The membership levels range from $100 to $1000 for charter membership. More detailed information can be found at www.creativealliancemke.org.
“Now that we know the depth and breadth of economic impact the creative industries have on our region, we are committed to ensuring that this industry cluster thrives,” said Morin. “Our region and state will be well served to target supporting and growing the creative industries economic cluster. Mike Jones and I are thrilled to be moving this organization into a new level of opportunity for increasing the competitiveness of our regional economy.”
