Lowell Creative Economy Census 2010 Survey

Lowell Creative Economy Census 2010

Thank you for participating in the Cultural Organization of Lowell's first ever Creative Economy Census. With your help, this Census will reveal the impact our creative sector has on the local economy and provide a crucial benchmark with which to measure the future growth of our creative economy and community.

This Census will be divided into two parts. PART I: YOU AND YOUR CREATIVE PROFESSION are questions directly related to your profession(s). PART II: YOUR CREATIVE BUSINESS are questions for those who own or operate a creative business and sell their work or creative service.

The Census will take about 10 minutes to complete. It is important to know that this is an ANONYMOUS survey: ALL the information you supply will remain anonymous and will be kept CONFIDENTIAL.

The deadline to take the Creative Economy Census is Friday, November 5, 2010.

Should you have any questions or concerns about this project, please contact Suzzanne Cromwell at 978-674-1483 or scromwell@lowellma.gov. Thank you for being a part of this important project.

A primary goal of this Census is to capture the expanse of Lowell's creative community. Which of these best defines your creative profession? Please check all that apply. Architect Architectural and Civil Drafter Archivist Art Director (Music, Film, Theater, Video) Art Producer (Music, Film, Theater, Video) Broadcast Technician Cake Decorator Crafter Commercial and Industrial Designers Creative/Cultural Non-profit Personnel Cultural Heritage & Preservation Cultural Liaison Curator Designer (Graphic, Interior, Fashion, Floral, Web) Editor (Literary)	Editor (Film) Event Promoter or Booking Agent Fiber/Textile Artist Filmmaker Gallerist Glass Artist Grantwriter Jeweler Journalist Landscape Artist Library Personnel Literary Artist (All Disciplines) Live Sound Engineer Materials Retailer Media & Marketing Consultant	Multi-media Artist and Animator Museum Personnel Musical Instrument Maker Performance Lighting Performing Artist (All Disciplines) Photographer Post-secondary instructor in the arts Publisher Sculptor (Stone, Metal, Wood, Found Object) Set Designer/Prop Maker Student in the Arts Talent Agent Tattoo Artist Theater Technician Visual Artist (All Disciplines)
Other (please specify)

	Very important	Somewhat important	Not at all important
Proximity to family and friends	*Rate the importance of the following reasons for being located in Lowell. Proximity to family and friends Very important	Proximity to family and friends Somewhat important	Proximity to family and friends Not at all important
Proximity to Boston	Proximity to Boston Very important	Proximity to Boston Somewhat important	Proximity to Boston Not at all important
Presence of arts and cultural activities	Presence of arts and cultural activities Very important	Presence of arts and cultural activities Somewhat important	Presence of arts and cultural activities Not at all important
Good infrastructure (e.g. telecommunications, transportation)	Good infrastructure (e.g. telecommunications, transportation) Very important	Good infrastructure (e.g. telecommunications, transportation) Somewhat important	Good infrastructure (e.g. telecommunications, transportation) Not at all important
Historic character	Historic character Very important	Historic character Somewhat important	Historic character Not at all important
Proximity to enterprise in same creative industry	Proximity to enterprise in same creative industry Very important	Proximity to enterprise in same creative industry Somewhat important	Proximity to enterprise in same creative industry Not at all important

	Very important	Somewhat important	Not at all important
Affordable office/business/studio space	*How important are the following services and activities to your work in the arts? Affordable office/business/studio space Very important	Affordable office/business/studio space Somewhat important	Affordable office/business/studio space Not at all important
Hiring a skilled, creative workforce	Hiring a skilled, creative workforce Very important	Hiring a skilled, creative workforce Somewhat important	Hiring a skilled, creative workforce Not at all important
Branding and marketing the creative economy	Branding and marketing the creative economy Very important	Branding and marketing the creative economy Somewhat important	Branding and marketing the creative economy Not at all important
Networking with enterprises in different creative industries	Networking with enterprises in different creative industries Very important	Networking with enterprises in different creative industries Somewhat important	Networking with enterprises in different creative industries Not at all important
Networking with enterprises in the same creative industries	Networking with enterprises in the same creative industries Very important	Networking with enterprises in the same creative industries Somewhat important	Networking with enterprises in the same creative industries Not at all important
Support and resources to foster creative collaboration and innovation	Support and resources to foster creative collaboration and innovation Very important	Support and resources to foster creative collaboration and innovation Somewhat important	Support and resources to foster creative collaboration and innovation Not at all important
Financing	Financing Very important	Financing Somewhat important	Financing Not at all important
Creative industry events and trade shows	Creative industry events and trade shows Very important	Creative industry events and trade shows Somewhat important	Creative industry events and trade shows Not at all important
Technical assistance tailored for creative enterprises	Technical assistance tailored for creative enterprises Very important	Technical assistance tailored for creative enterprises Somewhat important	Technical assistance tailored for creative enterprises Not at all important
Information clearinghouse, directory or guide on creative industries and enterprises	Information clearinghouse, directory or guide on creative industries and enterprises Very important	Information clearinghouse, directory or guide on creative industries and enterprises Somewhat important	Information clearinghouse, directory or guide on creative industries and enterprises Not at all important
Business skills training tailored to creative enterprises	Business skills training tailored to creative enterprises Very important	Business skills training tailored to creative enterprises Somewhat important	Business skills training tailored to creative enterprises Not at all important

Lowell Creative Economy Census 2010

1. A primary goal of this Census is to capture the expanse of Lowell's creative community. Which of these best defines your creative profession? Please check all that apply.

2. Regarding your answer(s) in Question 1, how many creative professions do you currently work in?

3. Regarding your answer(s) in Question 1, please indicate how many hours PER WEEK you work in EACH PROFESSION you selected

4. In total, how long have you been working in your creative profession(s)?

5. How long have you been working in your creative profession(s) in Lowell?

6. Rate the importance of the following reasons for being located in Lowell.

7. What types of products and/or services do you sell or offer? If none, please indicate.

8. List the three greatest needs to support your creative professional growth.

9. How important are the following services and activities to your work in the arts?

10. Would you participate in the following services and/or activities? Please check all that apply.

11. Do you participate in the following events or festivals? Please check all that apply.

12. Which local events best support your enterprise or your creative output? Please check all that apply.

13. Please estimate your total monthly expenses for your creative work (supplies, materials, rental of work space, travel time, etc.)

14. Do you purchase these supplies/materials/etc. in Lowell?

15. Is your creative profession(s) your primary source of income?

16. Which best represents your 2009 PERSONAL earnings/gross income generated from your work in the creative industry. If you work in more than one creative profession, please provide a break down in the “Itemized income by profession” category.

17. Please enter the ZIP CODE of the town/city you live in.

18. Please enter the ZIP CODE of your creative business / workplace.

19. Which best defines your ethnic/racial background. Please check all that apply.

20. What is your age?

21. What is your gender?

22. In total, how long have you been operating your creative business or selling your work / creative service in Lowell?

23. If you've been selling your creative work/service or operating your business for more than 5 years, have your sales INCREASED or DECREASED during this time frame? Please explain your answer.

24. What is the legal structure of your creative business?

25. List the three main goals you have for your creative business or for expanding your services.

26. List the three greatest challenges to growing your enterprise in Lowell.

27. If you or your creative enterprise received grant funding in 2009, how much were you awarded? If you did not receive grant funding, please indicate.

28. We are researching a variety of financial assistance programs tailored specifically to artists and creative businesses. Which of the following program models is most appealing ? Please check only one.

29. If you could obtain financial assistance for your creative business, what would you use it for? Please list all that apply.

30. If you could obtain financial assistance for your creative business, what amount would best meet your needs?

32. Please use this section to share your thoughts openly or elaborate on any answers you provided.

Do you participate in the following events or festivals? Please check all that apply. Winterfest Lowell Film Festival Doors Open Lowell Riverfest African Cultural Festival Lowell Folk Festival Latin American Festival Puerto Rican Festival	Quilt Festival Summer Music Series Southeast Asian Water Festival One Lowell World Cup ArtWalk Lowell Open Studios Jack Kerouac Literary Festival
Other (please specify)