Arts and Cultural activites are a core asset of Southeastern CT and in the 2004 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) were recognized as an important and emerging economic Cluster in the region.
The Cluster is made up of the individual artists in all media, a wide range of non-profit cultural institutions, and commercial enterprises. It is estimated that there are over 4000 employees and self employed residents involved directly in the Art and Creative Cluster, with several thousand more in supporting businesses.
The cities of Norwich and New London have both encouraged artist Live/Work spaces as spurs to Downtown revitalization and development with ArtSpace Norwich and the Hygienic Artists Cooperative in New London being examples of successes in reuse of historic buildings for this purpose. In Stonngton, a 19th century Velvet Mill has been converted into artist studios and galleries in another example of creative reuse of distressed property.
The Southeastern CT Council of Governments, recognizing the economic vitality of the Film and Digital Media industries, in late 2007 formed a Regional Film Commission to encourage filming in the region and workforce development and training in the trades and skills associated with Film and Video production. The commission is an initiative intended to diversify the core economy of the region, building on its traditional strength in technology. For example, a top employer in the region, Sonalysts Studios, is a technology based defense company that has successfully diversified into the entertainment industry with a full service production facility in Waterford.
In 2006 the State of CT released a report on the overall impact of the Arts, Heritage, Film and Tourism industries on the state economy, recognizing the Creative Cluster as an emerging economic powerhouse. The full report, or an executive summary are available below.