Creativity Corner - A Neighborhood for Creative Growth

Creating Dreams, Studio Shows the Way for Gaines, Tallahassee

Tallahassee Democrat Article by
Nolia Brandt
Associate director at Florida State University's Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship

Like many Tallahasseeans, I've been dreaming a long time of a place where old-timers and newcomers alike can experience the unique and creative energy of this charming Southern town. Many exciting ideas have been suggested for downtown, but is there a way to jump-start Tallahassee as a creative “go to” community?

The answer is yes.

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Fair to Help Small Businesses

By Ferdie De Vega
Democrat Staff Writer

Several business development organizations will be present at the Tallahassee Small Business Assistance Fair next week for people who want to start a small business or expand their existing one.

"They'll get an opportunity to hear from many of the small business development professionals in the community," said Rob Nixon, executive director of the Florida A&M University Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

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What do Railroads have in common with Ragtime?

I told you in my last post that my next tour will be of the Railroad Square Arts Park.  The Park hosts more than 80 studios, galleries and small shops.  Railroad Squre is the creative haven of many Tallahassee artists and other small businesses.  My college-age son and his friends tell me the time go to Railroad Square is "First Fridays."  The Square puts on a First Friday Gallery Hop on the first friday of each month.  This is the day when the Arts Park is buzzing with activity.  It even has its own delicious cafe.  The next Gallery Hop is August 3rd.  That's when I'm going! 

Directions are:
Going south on Monroe Street past the Capitol Building, turn right onto Gaines Street.  Go down the hill to Railroad Avenue, turn left.  Cross the railroad track and then turn right into Railroad Square before the taffic light.

Before I go on August 3rd, I thought I would do a little research on Florida Railroad history. 

In 1831 the legislature approved Florida's first true railroad enterprise, the Leon Rail-Way Company, although several years lapsed until a successor firm built the line from Tallahassee to the ancient Spanish Fortress at St. Marks.  This was the start of the Florida railway.  The Leon Rail-Way's only suriving railway at the time of Statehood in 1845 was the Tallahassee Railroad. Later the Tallahassee Railroad was acquired by the Pensacola and Georgia Railroad and built with iron rails.  Decades later, the Seaboard Air Line Railway came into possession of the cotton carrier, and today it's right-of-way is a very popular biking and hiking trail (The St. Marks Bike Trail).

The Tallahassee/St. Marks Historic Railroad Trail runs from Florida's capital city, past the Apalachicola National Forest, and ends in the coastal community of St. Marks. Through the early 1900's, the historic railroad corridor was used to carry cotton from the plantation belt to the coast for shipment to textile mills in England and New England.  Today, as a paved trail, it provides an excellent workout for street bikers, walkers and skaters.  It also provides opportunities for horseback riding on the adjacent unpaved trail, and access to the Munson Hills Off Road Trails in the Nationl Forest.  St. Marks offers seafood, fishing on San Marcos Apalache Historic State Park to top off the journey.

In 1967 the State's two biggest railroad competitors, the Seaboard Air Line and the Atlantic Coast Line, merged as the Seaboard Coastline Railroad Company.  Amtrak passenger trains appeared four years later and in 1980 the Seaboard Coast line helped forge the CSX Corporation.

As a musician I know that the Railroad has had a long-term impact on American life and musical expression.  When I think of railroads I naturally also think of Ragtime music.  That's why I think a Ragtime Festival at the Railroad Square Arts Park is a neat idea that would be a lot of fun!  What do Railroads and Ragtime Music have in common?  My husband pointed out that Railroad and Ragtime both begin with 'Ra' and they both have to stay 'on time.'  ERGO - there must of course be a correlation between these two.  But my spouse's facts aside, the 1840s to 1920s was the Golden Age of Railroads.  Ragtime music, which predated jazz, enjoyed its peak of popularity between 1899 and 1918.  Ragtime is still popular today.  Scot Joplin's 'Entertainer' is probably the most famous piece, made popular in the movie Sting.  Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag was written in 1894 in Sedalia Missouri.  Billy Joel's ragtime music is also among my favorites.  Willie Martin "Billy" Joel (born May 9, 1949) released his first song, Piano Man, in 1973. 

In addition to the coincidence between the development of Ragtime and Railroads, here is another cool coincidence.  I found this fantastic train video of the Mount Dora Railway on YouTube!  I was surprised and delighted to find it because Mount Dora, Florida happens to be my hometown, where I grew up before coming to Tallahassee to attend FSU.  In addition to lots of palm trees, on this train ride you'll see Lake Dora, the Old Bank of Mount Dora building, and my old favorite - The Dairy Queen.  Thank goodness the one in Tallahassee has finally opened up for business again!  This train video (complete with ragtime music) is a fun little excursion that will get you in the mood for a visit to the Tallahassee Railroad Square Arts Park.  Go ahead and click on the video.  Afterwards, I'll play some more ragtime music for you!

The only thing I like better than ice cream and piano is a Root Beer Float with vanilla ice cream while listening to Ragtime music.  I have definitely not had enough ice cream lately, but I have been playing some great music.  Billy Joel's Root Beer Rag is a phenomenol piece that shows his mastery of the piano.  I hope you won't mind listening to my own piano recording of this beautiful ragtime piece.  Even though I'm not Billy Joel, I made this piano recording just for you!

You can hear it on iTunes by subscribing to my Podcast, and download it free.
Pianimations - Music for Life

If you don't already have it on your computer, you'll need to Download the iTunes Software 

Enjoy...

'Hope to see you at Railroad Square Arts Park on August 3rd for the First Friday's Gallery Hop! 

Best regards,

Cynthia Marie VanLandingham

FSU Master Craftsman Studio Tour

On Friday I toured the FSU Master Craftsman Studio with some of the Jump Start Plan X Team members, and took my camera with me. I wanted to share my photos with you! But first, let me tell you about the Vision for this world-class facility, which can be an exciting and very real possibility for Tallahassee. One of the primary assets of the Master Craftsman Studio is its location on Gaines Street at the western end of the street's planned revitalization. It is also situated next to a non-functioning CSX rail spur. Both FSU and the city are interested in obtaining the property, which could then be developed into a Boxcar-Village containing a number of studio apartments for resident artists using donated boxcars. In addition, it is located adjacent to a beautiful, serene lake. Tallahassee's economy would be positively affected in a number of ways by both the Master Craftsman Program and related economic activities it can generate.

For instance, the studio's planned Fire Arts Pavilion will have a continuously running glass studio that will light up the sky, attracting both locals and visitors alike to the Gaines Street location and surrounding newly revitalized area. This cultural tourism will foster the creation of other businesses, like restaurants, and provide them with an opportunity to thrive. In addition, many talented artists will bring their skills to Tallahassee through the Master Craftsman Residency program for graduate artisans. It is expected that these artists will then create even more businesses in which new artwork will be produced and sold. Associated with all of this is the Master Craftsman Incubation Project. This program will help resident artists set up new hot glass businesses so that interested people are educated about glass art and can acquire basic training to produce their own work. The influx of prominent artists and the training of new ones, along with the creation of thriving businesses will also help Tallahassee attract and retain other creative minds. By combining the resources of the Master Craftsman Program with those of the city and Florida State University, our community will have an innovative method of economic redevelopment that will serve as a model for other communities to follow.

The success of these programs will also demonstrate to prospective businesses that Tallahassee is willing and able to support new and innovative cultural activities. So, without any further delay, come along with me on my photo tour of the FSU MC Studio Just click on the thumbnails for a larger picture and more information about what you're looking at. My next camera tour will be of the Rail Road Square area off Gaines and Railroad Avenue. Stay tuned....

Best Regards,

Cynthia Marie VanLandingham

Crafting an Economic Development Strategy that Works for the Big Bend Area

Determining our region's economic function in the global economy is the first challenge for government and business leaders in creating an effective economic development strategy for the Big Bend Area.  This strategy will grow out of looking at our unique industrial structure, economic assets, limitations, and business culture, and it will answer the question, "In what areas can we compete?"  This is the question community-wide and metropolitan-wide leaders are asking all around the country, and indeed the world.  How can we best maintain or raise our standard of living, while protecting our environment?"  Even school districts across the country have adopted more rigorous standards to prepare students to compete in a global economy, with greater accountability for school systems, teachers and students alike.  In this effort to become more competitive, it has become clear that taking regional governance seriously will be an important part of any successful strategy to expand and diversify our economy.   

In addition to working toward a regional approach to governance, creating a skilled workforce, investing in an infrastructure for innovation, creating a great quality of life, and fostering a dynamic, innovative business climate has been pretty well established as where communities need to be going to be prepared to prosper in the new global economy.  But, while communities may know where they need to go, getting government agencies, authorities and businesses to work together on shared goals and strategies for getting there seems to be the greater challenge. 

Here is a summary of important creative concepts for communities to take into consideration when Crafting a Regional Economic Development Strategy in an economy that is becoming more and more global and increasingly less predictable.   It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see where we need to go, but it does take the right people dedicated to working together to craft unique solutions that maximize regional potential.  This will take more homework in an ongoing effort, but reports are coming in that this is starting to happen in Florida and the Big Bend Area.  Below are links to Tallahassee Democrat articles about ongoing and recent activities that are very encouraging.

Economic Leaders Ready with a Plan

Planners, Leaders Stress Regional Approach to Growth

Leaders Call for Regional Cooperation

Wanted: Cooperation Among Governments

Developing Skilled Workforce Remains Key Focus

Tallahassee Positioned to Become Health Care Leader

Transportation Projects Expected to Spur Growth

The good news to celebrate today is that the journey toward a regional perspective on community and economic development has begun - and it is opening up a whole new world of possitilities!

Best regards,

Cynthia Marie VanLandingham

Don't Throw Out the Baby with the Bathwater

One of the issues that is getting a lot of attention in the news these days is tax cuts.  The Florida legislature has mandated that local governments roll back local property taxes to last year’s levels in addition to a mandatory cut of from 3% to 9%.  Local governments are starting to announce the impacts of these cuts, including reductions in social service funding, cuts in library and parks, and hiring freezes and layoffs.  On the other side, some taxpayer groups are calling for larger cuts, pointing to the rapid increase in property tax revenues over the past few years as property values have soared. 

This is a complicated subject that unfortunately is being debated through sound bytes rather than considered analysis.  Clearly, property tax bills for citizens – mostly those who recently bought homes and commercial property owners, who aren’t protected by the Save Our Homes cap on property assessments, have seen major increases in their tax bills.  The outcry about property taxes is thus very understandable, and many local governments have seen their revenues soar in recent years and some have spent this windfall on questionable things.  Some level of correction is thus inevitable.

However, the situation is more complex than that.  The state has taken advantage of this situation to pass on major costs to local governments, reducing the share of school funding paid by the state from over 60% to less than 50%, has mandated increases in local police and fire pensions, has forced counties to pick up the cost of juvenile detention, and is paying less and less of highway construction and maintenance costs.  Local overnments are thus claiming that the mandatory cuts are unfair and at least a bit disingenuous. 

What does this mean to the Creative Cities Initiative here in Tallahassee?  I think the lesson is to not throw the baby out with the bathwater.  There is a danger in over-taxation that can stifle needed investment and redevelopment by the private sector.  However, there is also a danger in under-taxation, which can create an artificial scarcity that can feed on itself.   

Citizens of Tallahassee understandably are proud of the community that they have built and the creative resources that exist here – including our parks, museums, libraries, and cultural events.  Many of these resources are at least in part (and sometimes mostly) supported by all of us through the taxes we pay.  In bigger, more industrial cities the private sector can play a bigger role in supporting such resources through foundations and wealthy benefactors.  However, there just isn’t that kind of old money in Tallahassee.  Consequently, it will take a partnership of public and private capital to continue to maintain and improve our beautiful city.  It will also take public and private money to redevelop distressed areas in town and to promote the development of the kinds of creative businesses that can be a vital part of our future. 

Blindly cutting taxes beyond a certain point, and adopting a philosophy that any cut in government services and spending is ‘good’ is naïve and dangerous.  Citizens don’t want excessive government or excessive taxes.  However, we do want good schools, protection of our environment, public safety, and a vibrant community in which to live and raise our families.  The Creative Communities Initiative recognizes that abundance can generate more abundant life for everyone, while a mentality of scarcity can result in a downward spiral in our quality of life that can be difficult to reverse.   We want limited, but effective government.  Like the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, we need to create a tax system that isn’t too much, too little, but just right.  Doing so will help ensure that Tallahassee remains a great place to live, raise a family, and start and grow a business.  And THAT will make us a great creative community. 

Best Regards,

Cynthia Marie VanLandingham

Assumptions We Learned in Elementary School

Once you have a vision of your future, it's time to establish a strategic course of specific action steps to lead you there.  Action is the key to claiming your future, through a process of steady growth that builds momentum over time.  As I said in the previous post, the most important step you take, however, is always your first step.  The first step is also the most difficult one to take, because it involves moving from a state of rest to a state of motion, and overcoming any doubts you have and fear of failure.  This is where most people get permanently stuck and never take that first step to achieving their dreams.  It's like they're standing in some sticky stuff that pulls their feet back down whenever they try to lift their knees to take the first step.  I call this sticky stuff the Myth of Fact. 

The Myth of Fact is an assumption we acquired in elementary school from the mild mannered librarian who taught us how books are categorized on the shelves according to whether they are fact or fiction.  It's logic assumes that the opposite of fact is always fiction.  Therefore, FACT = TRUTH.  Ergo, anything that is Fiction must not be a true story.  And everyone knows that the opposite of a true story is a false one.  Right?  Well, no, not right.  Reality isn't simply a state of fact over fiction, because we will never have all the facts.  More importantly, we do not need absolute certainty before we can take the first step.  The fact is - this kind of certainty doesn't exist outside of gravity, it's another myth.

Yes we need to do our homework, but there will always be some unknowns in our equation.  What we can do, however, is look for our next step, and the next one after that, which brings us one step closer to getting clarity that emerges with committed effort over time in a growth process, staying focused on our dream - a vision that will stand the test of time, and carry our children into the future when we are gone.
   

The Myth of Certainty denies the growth process and goes hand in hand with the Myth of Fact.  Together these block the growth process needed to hone our plans into clear, concise statements of our mission, our objectives, and our goals.  The Myth of Certainty assumes that unless we have all the facts nailed down today we should not proceed because the risk will be just too great.  Folks who rely on the Myth of Certainty are always looking for guarantees and avoiding risks.  They don't have the confidence to accept responsibility for creating their future, so they focus instead on controlling their environment. Their reality paradigm looks like this:  "If I can just create enough order, and control enough things, all the chaos will disappear and there will be no more surprises along the way to frighten me...no more changes."

The Myth of Fact and the Myth of Certainty are the building blocks of the scarcity mindset that distort reality with facts that block the flow of energy into our lives, our families, our businesses, and our communities.  Here's a better reality paradigm you can count on to keep your feet out of the sticky stuff and hopping toward your dreams, and looking forward to the surprises along the way!  Are you ready for this?

 
Things generally happen the way they're supposed to....when people take responsibility for their choices and their future, and sometimes mock the facts!

The Knight Foundation Creative Cities Initiative understands the big picture: Creativity is the human element that comes from experience, not just facts.   Let's work together in Tallahassee to have the courage and vision to make sure that our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty and the quality of life that we all enjoy today.  Achieving this dream will mean working together to keep our feet out of the sticky stuff!

Jumping Past Barriers to Creative Growth in Tallahassee

As I wrote in the previous post, the Jump Start Plan X committee is really beginning to get some structure around their goals to promote the growth of small creative businesses in Tallahassee.  The committee is working hard toward achieving long-term, realistic goals that over time will, in addition to the efforts of the other committees, keep Tallahassee the beautiful city we love. 

Growth is inevitable, so it makes sense to ensure that this growth preserves the beauty and economic vitality of Tallahassee for the future and our children.   That's the dream.  The Knight Foundation Creative Communities Initiative is a positive step in the right direction toward achieving this dream.  Think of it as 'phase one' of building an economic foundation to meet the unique and practical needs of small creative businsses that will have an important impact on Tallahassee's growth over time.  It is the first and most difficult step.

Why is the first step so difficult?

As with any long-term, meaningful goal, the most important step is always the first step.  It is the most difficult step because it involves moving from a state of rest (a passive condition) to a state of motion, and overcoming any doubts. 

There have been many doubts expressed about the value and need for the Creative Communities Initiative for Tallahassee.  Unfortunately, too many of the objections I hear are the result of tunnel vision. Poor vision that believes Tallahassee has arrived to a beautiful state of completion, and that if we just don’t do anything it will always remain this way.  This 'vision' also believes that citizens who try to get involved and make a positive difference toward protecting the future of Tallahassee are just board, rather than creative and caring.   How sad...but not to worry. 

Here is something Jerry Osteryoung pointed out in one of his recent columns.   It’s a secret that creative people know, instinctively.  “Doubts are not truth. They are thoughts – to overcome!”

Building awareness for the need to plan for economic diversity in the Tallahassee regional area will take time, and possibly a few more tax cuts.  But, eventually, people will get the picture:  Scarcity is on the horizon, unless we plan for beauty and abundance. 

Best Regards,

Cynthia Marie VanLandingham

Ready, Set Go, Get the Jump on Plan X

Hello,

I'm Cynthia VanLandingham, a member of the Jump Start Plan X Committee and author of Creativity Corner. As you may know, this committee is a subgroup of the Knight Foundation Creative Communities Initiatives going on in Tallahassee to help diversify our region's economy. Below is a summary of the most recent Jump Start Plan X Committee Meeting that I attended.

At this early morning, July 9th, meeting we had a useful discussion, despite an occasional blank look on my face. It is a complex task with a lot to take in! Nevertheless, this committee is really getting some structure around the three ideas that the committee has decided to pursue so far -- co-locating services; exploring creative financing options; and developing a business incubator.  Below is a list of the areas where the committee has made progress.  You can download a one-page PDF summary of this meeting with the sidebar link.

SURVEY: Jump Start Plan X Business Survey has been completed and is available online. 
Click Here to Take the Survey

MEDIA: “My View” column soliciting feedback and more volunteers was submitted to Tallahassee Democrat and should be published by mid-July. It also will be posted on KCCI blog.  The key talking from this also will become part of  a flyer for Chamber retreat in Ponte Verde June 20-21. (The Knight Foundation has provided funding to bring David Miller from the Florida Group to speak at the Chamber's annual meeting in Ponte Verde.)

E-mail blasts will be sent out next week by Tallahassee Area Chamber and to Capital City Chamber members in the next week. Other small business groups, i.e. FAMU SBDC and Locally Owned Tallahassee also will be approached by Dorothy Bland to help get the word out to their clients/members.

FINANCE: Nolia Brandt and Judy Jones-Colson have met with a board member and the staff of a newly developed community bank to discuss community and small business finance needs. They also have upcoming meetings scheduled with local credit unions and national banks. They will continue this effort to work to create more flexible resources that will meet the unique needs of local small businesses.

CO-LOCATION OF SERVICES:  Nolia and Judy will also seek out sites for co-location of services. Requests have been made to the library, and the city was also approached about the Renaissance Center.

NEW BLOG: Cynthia Marie VanLandingham has joined the team and launched Creativity Corner blog. (You're Here!)

UPCOMING COMMITTEE GOALS:

Chair Tony Carvajal will schedule meetings for late July and August. Each team member will invite at least one person to join the team and attend next meeting. The aim is to grow the committee and to have a meeting the first week of August to review survey results and plan next steps.  The team needs volunteers in the following areas.

• Co-location of services to help small business
• Financial incentives to help small business
• Business Incubator to help small business
• Marketing of three initiatives outlined above
• Budget/Fundraising – for box car site in the Arts Park that all KCCI teams could use for central meeting space near Gaines Street corridor.

Thanks for stopping by Creativity Corner! 

If you own a business in the Tallahassee Regional Area, please fill out our survey.  Your input is important!  Click Here to Take the Survey  If you have ideas to share, please join our neighborhood discussion by posting your comments to this blog, or come to our next meeting. 

When you sign up for the Creativity Corner Newsletter, you'll receive a friendly notice in your inbox as soon as Jump Start Plan X meeting dates and times are scheduled as well as meeting summaries.  You'll also receive information about other upcoming events related to the Knight Foundation Creative Cities Initiative in Tallahassee. 

Best Regards,

Cynthia Marie VanLandingham

Jump Start Plan X Committee Meeting Agenda - July 9th

There is a special meeting scheduled for the Jump Start Plan X Committee at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, July 9th, in the restaurant at Park Plaza Hotel on Monroe Street.

It's extremely important that we all be present. Priorities for this meeting include better defining team roles and expectations, establishing subcommittee champions, developing a meeting schedule and reviewing progress on three key initiatives.

In addition to a small business survey,  three key initiatives are

• Co-location of services to assist small business (exploring ways to make information about business resources and requirements more accessible to people interested in opening small businesses in Tallahassee)
• Micro-finance initiative to assist small business (exploring ways to make it easier for small creative businesses to obtain the capital needed to open their businesses; often traditional banks aren't that interested in working with very small businesses)
• Incubator to assist small businesses in the creative class (exploring ways to establish a center that can provide mentoring and resources to people interested in opening new small creative businesses)