Last week, the Pittsburgh Technology Council lead a delegation of Pittsburgh creatives to Toronto, Canada, to meet with senior arts leaders and city officials on the topic of revitalizing cities through the creative industries.
(left to right) Touring one of the largest innovation centers on the planet
Artist, Ashley Cecil Paulisick; Ben Hilsdorfer, Echo Strategies; Dr. Kevin Stolarick, City of Toronto; Earl Miller; Director of Global Initiatives, MaRS Discovery District; David Pancreatz, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council; Kim Chestney, Pittsburgh Technology Council
Dr. Kevin Stolarick, renown from the Creative Class legacy and formerly Research Director at the Toronto’s Martin Prosperity Institute, welcomed the Pittsburgh team, which included local artists/entrepreneurs, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council and the PTC.
The city-wide tour included visits to: ArtScape, Toronto’s urban development organization that makes space for creativity and transforms communities;Toronto’s city hall, to meet with experts on the arts and economic development; MaRS Discovery District, one of the largest innovation centers around the globe; and tours of various creative neighborhoods by the leaders who helped transform them.
The trade mission is part of the 2015-16 Corridors and Connections Creative Industries study, currently underway by Echo Strategies, FortyX80 and the PTC, and supported by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation. The study aims to asset-map the Pittsburgh region, in order to identify creative hotbeds and connect the community.
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Toronto Distiller District Artist, The Saucy Milliner, custom made hats for ABC’s Once Upon a Time.