Connecting Creativity, Commerce, and Community

Creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit have long been important parts of the community fabric of Ulster County. Now, as social, demographic, technological and economic changes are forcing our communities to reposition themselves to be competitive in the new global economy, these characteristics are more important than ever.

Ulster County's innovative capacity is seen through its wide range of creative-based industries—from technology, digital media, and entertainment, journalism to finance, precision manufacturing, software development to the arts. These key industry sectors have emerged as a potent force and one of the fastest growing segments in the economic life of cities and rural areas alike.

Collectively, we continue to strive to better understand the needs of these key clusters by identifying the spectrum of disciplines and infrastructure of programs and services that support growth. As initial steps to begin to build strategic partnerships and programs to support our creative businesses, UCDC will host two events in 2005:

• Creative Economy Roundtable—Summer
• Creative Economy Summit—Fall

Some of Ulster County's creative and knowledge-based organizations include:

• Alfandre Architecture
• Applehead Recording + Productions
• Art Society of Kingston
• Backstage Productions
• Bearsville Studios
• Carol Amper Hats
• Daily Freeman
• Digital Brands
• Ellenbogan Productions
• Image Works
• Kiss My Face Skin Care
• Luminary Publishing
• Lunch At The Ritz
• Moresca Designs
• NewCo Labs
• Opus 40
• Pearson Education Publishing
• Robert Tonner Dolls
• Scott Dutton Architects + Planners
• Studki Embroidery Works
• Studio at the Barn Recording Productions
• Ulster County Arts Council
• Ulster Performing Arts Center
• Ulster Publishing
• VISCO Software
• Woodstock Film Commission + Festival
• Woodstock Guild + the Byrdcliffe Arts Colony
• Woodstock School of Art