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(Boston, MA) The New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) announces the launch of CreativeGround, a web-based directory spotlighting the creative people and places that make up New England's creative sector.
CreativeGround includes in-depth profiles for cultural nonprofits like libraries and theaters, creative businesses like recording studios and design agencies, and artists of all disciplines such as performing arts, visual arts, and crafts. Profiles are free to create, and data from NEFA’s previous sites, Matchbook.org and CultureCount, have been transferred to CreativeGround. Site visitors may learn about the creative assets in their own community, search for a particular artist or discipline, or find a venue to host an event.
“The creative economy is a powerful engine of growth and community vitality,” said NEFA research manager Dee Schneidman. “CreativeGround is the next phase of NEFA’s commitment to spotlight, connect, and further understand New England’s diverse and active creative sector.”
The site is part of a comprehensive creative economy program at NEFA, which includes regional conferences, research publications on the economic impact of the sector, data and creative economy project sharing, and hosting an informal creative economy network of peers. NEFA’s creative economy work began with publications that date back to the late 1970s. CreativeGround also serves as an artist directory and resource for several of NEFA’s regional grantmaking programs, New England States Touring (NEST) and Native Arts.
“CreativeGround is essential for anyone curious about the region’s robust creative sector, whether to find the creative people and places in their community, or to connect with creative professionals from another state,” said Stephanie Fortunato, Deputy Director of the City of Providence Office of Art, Culture, and Tourism. “I use it to point government officials, press, and constituents to the media, descriptive, and social network info on the Providence profiles.”
CreativeGround is made possible through NEFA’s ongoing partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, the Maine Arts Commission, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, and the Vermont Arts Council. For more information, visit www.creativeground.org or contact creativeground@nefa.org.
About NEFA
NEFA builds connections among artists, arts organizations, and funders, powering the arts to energize communities in New England, the nation, and the world. NEFA is a 501 (c) (3) that operates in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the New England state arts agencies, with additional funding from corporations, foundations and individuals.
NEFA administers grantmaking programs that support the performing arts, public art, and Native American artists. NEFA also leads projects and initiatives that range from the analysis of the impact of the creative economy to the creation of online tools which link and advance the regional, national, and international cultural community. For more information, please visit www.nefa.org or call 617.951.0010.
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