"Creative Economy Houston,” is a study commissioned by the Houston Arts Alliance in collaboration with University of Houston and the Greater Houston Partnership, conducted by nationally recognized expert in commerce and culture, Patricia Martin. The goal of this collaboration will be to inspire local, national and international businesses to capitalize on Houston’s cultural assets and contribute to economic growth in the new economy.  As author in residence, Martin will evaluate the state of Houston’s creative economy and gauge its potential for stimulating economic growth by fostering an environment filled with creativity. Results of the study will be used to connect business and art leaders across a variety of disciplines to spur innovation.

“Creative Economy Houston” is a follow-up to RENGEN, a study Martin conducted in 2008 after spending 10 months assessing Houston's cultural consumer. That resulted in a white paper calling Houston's creative sector among the most vigorous and under recognized in the country. Now, we have invited Martin to return to Houston to further assess the scale of Houston's creative economy. Findings will be published in mid-2010. 

Houston's non-profit arts sector has a $626 million annual impact on our local economy. To that end, business and the arts together need to better understand economic opportunity in cultural production and consumption. Martin's new study will explore the depth and impact of creative industries beyond the non-profits. As one of the youngest and fastest growing large cities in the US, we believe some of our relative strengths are our ability to attract and retain the best and the brightest; the fresh thought generated by our educational institutions; and an active, invested, creative populace. But more data is needed to truly make our case and build upon our greatest assets.