Val Dumond

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Who Makes Up the Creative Class?
You!
by Val Dumond
©2005

Good grief! I've become enmeshed - with a group discussing "The Creative Class" in Tacoma (as a result of author Richard Florida's recent talk about his book The Creative Class). To define the words: "class" refers to level of society, not a roomful of kids trying to learn - although we are all learning a great deal. "Creative" refers to the process of using inner drive and emotions to make something new.

We are learning that Tacoma is one of those places that keeps offering up new ideas, secret little nooks and crannies, and surprises. The first thing this discussion group did was recognize the unique location of Tacoma - between a gorgeous mountain and a string of more gorgeous mountains; alongside an exotic waterway that connects with the ocean and the world; and in a climate that boasts moderation: not too hot in summer and not too cool in winter.

Now add to that neighborhoods that attract cultural groups with backgrounds that are rich with their individual heritage: Native American, African, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Scandinavian, Scottish, Italian, Arabic, East Indian, even French and Chinese. (The blemish on Tacoma's international relations lies with the ousting of Chinese in the late 1880s, not one of our prouder moments in history.)

And sports? Our kids play all kinds of baseball, basketball, softball, soccer, football, tennis and golf through both school and public programs. We boast a sensational baseball stadium, aquatic center, tennis courts, skateboarding, and golf courses galore, and a Dome Building that attracts exciting sports events.

What? You don't consider sports as "creative"? Try playing any of these games without inner drive and emotion!

But yes, you're right - the usual suspects of creativity are promoters of art, music, literature, drama, crafts, and oh, just about anything some of the area's creative people can think up! Take the Suitcase Display, for instance. Or the Head Rolling event. Or the Red Door project. Or the annual First Night (which, incidentally, has been cancelled this year because of lack of funding).

Think: Glass Museum, Children's Museum, Classic Car Museum, Manuscript Museum, Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonic, Opera, Ballet, Community Theater, Playwright's Festival, Bluegrass Convention, Writers Convention, and even the Blowtorch Collectors' Convention. Now add the word "Tacoma" in front of each of these and you have an idea of the scope of creative excitement that has formed Tacoma's Creative Class. Granted, some of these things are iffy because of funding these days, but they all have drawn crowds to Tacoma from all over the world.

Simmer down, simmer down. I'm getting there. The point of this lies in the agreement of all the creative class discussers that you don't have to be organized or belong to a group to be creative.

• Business people exhibit creativity every day in the way they conduct affairs.
• Writing a grant or a proposal takes a great deal of creative input.
• Teaching a roomful of spongelike minds takes creative genius.
• Planning business projects requires creative teamwork.
• Raising new condos and office buildings takes creative initiative.
• Drawing up courtroom strategy takes creative muscle.
• Laying out parks and building sites and street roundabouts takes creative ability.

You probably can name a fast food worker, plumber, roofer, or a shoe salesperson who shows what creative service is all about.

You have it too. Now don't deny it! Somewhere inside you is that spark that lights the creative torch that burns to write a story, play a tune, draw a picture, design a gown, decorate a room, whittle a wooden toy, embroider a sweater, knit a scarf, organize a photo album - oh, the possibilities! The good news - no, it's G-R-E-A-T news - is that you don't have to wait for lessons or help from anyone. You can sit down and begin - today. Okay, you may need to read a book about it first or run to the store for supplies, but when the urge strikes, don't ignore it.

The moral of this story: you don't have to be a professional "creator" to create something worthwhile, whether it's just for you to satisfy your burning inside torch or whether you intend to share it with others. The Creative Class is YOU!

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