BOOK TALK Author looks at creativity, economy link

YSU's Diversity Council and the Butler Institute of American Art sponsored a discussion on the reading.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HOWLAND -- There is a link between a community's artistic creativity and its economic strength, according to one author.
Several residents and educators from Youngstown State University met at the Trumbull Butler Institute of American Art, 9350 Market Street, on Tuesday afternoon to discuss that author's book, "The Rise of the Creative Class," by Richard Florida.
YSU's Diversity Council and the Butler Institute of American Art sponsored the event.
The books states that the cities and regions that have allowed the greatest freedom for creativity tend to be the most successful economically. Florida also states in the book that cities need to have the ability to attract the creative class and use that talent to create new ideas and high-tech business.
"We need to expose our children to all that life has to offer," said Dr. Betty Jo Licata, dean of YSU's Williamson College of Business Administration."
Dr. George McCloud, special assistant to the president for university advancement at YSU, asked everyone in the audience to buy five copies of Florida's book and give it to community leaders.
"We can use the information in the book to think of ways to improve the valley and areas like Warren and Youngstown," McCloud said.
Education
Barb Ewing, from Democratic Congressman Timothy Ryan's office, said she also believes that education is a key to regional economic growth.
"Education is very important and making sure that people have the education to get good paying jobs in this area is very important," Ewing noted. She added that she also believes it's extremely important for the people in this area to support what the community has to offer.
McCloud and Jimmy Myers, director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity at YSU, agreed.
"Arts are not public because they are done in public, they only become public when they reach out and touch people in a personal way," McCloud said.
Myers also suggested that the valley consider combining resources.
"We need to take a more regional approach and combine what we have," Myers said.
sinkovich@vindy.com