NSW Government’s Post

The arts generate more than $150 billion annually and support millions of jobs. But they often operate without the same digital infrastructure that other growth sectors already have. In Inc. Magazine, Sherrod Davis makes the case for treating the creative economy as seriously as entrepreneurship, life sciences, and manufacturing. Pittsburgh and Boulder show what happens when cities invest in infrastructure that gives arts organizations the visibility and coordination tools they need. The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council is using EcoMap to track nonprofit financial health and centralize resources. Boulder realigned grantmaking to support sustainability and equity goals. Both cities recognize that thriving arts ecosystems fuel talent attraction, placemaking, and economic growth. The same infrastructure that helps founders and manufacturers thrive can strengthen cultural organizations. When the creative sector has the tools to track resources, identify gaps, and coordinate support, cities build economies that reach more people. Read more of Sherrod's Inc. insights here: https://lnkd.in/d7p2Mexg #EcosystemIntelligence #CreativeEconomy #ArtsLeadership #EconomicDevelopment

The creative sector has long been part of how communities define themselves. It’s also part of how they grow. In Inc. Magazine, I wrote about why arts and culture should be viewed through the same lens as entrepreneurship, life sciences, and other growth industries. When the creative economy has access to the same infrastructure and intelligence tools, it fuels jobs, investment, and long-term competitiveness. We’re proud to work with the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council to strengthen how arts organizations connect, share data, and sustain their work across the region. You can read more below! And as we continue to help Arts Councils with this challenge, I’d love to hear how your city is supporting its creative sector.

The arts and creative sector generates over $150 billion annually and employs millions. Yet, as our CEO Sherrod Davis argues in Inc, it often operates without the digital infrastructure that we readily provide for entrepreneurship, life sciences, and manufacturing. This isn't just a cultural issue—it's an economic opportunity. Cities like Pittsburgh and Boulder are leading the way, recognizing that robust arts ecosystems fuel talent attraction and placemaking. By using platforms like EcoMap to centralize resources, track nonprofit health, and align grantmaking, they are treating the creative economy with the seriousness it deserves. Read more of Sherrod's insights on closing the infrastructure gap: 👇

From global tech leader to soccer dad, #WesternU’s chief technology officer Jason Oliver is reshaping technology across campus. “I spent the last few years leading technology at Sussex, but it wasn’t about technology. It was about creating an environment of openness and experimentation where people could try new things to improve systems. All of that is about developing people and that’s what I try to bring to this role.” Discover why putting people ahead of tech is part of his winning strategy at Western Technology Services: https://lnkd.in/gHqsmiUt “I’d always said for me to leave Sussex, it would only be for something remarkably compelling – not just for me, but for my whole family. Coming to Western has absolutely been the right decision.”

When I enter cities to help design for belonging, we begin with the internal and the social — how people see themselves and connect with others. But the most powerful outcomes happen when cities have already invested in the structural: where representation, access, and opportunity are not initiatives, but infrastructure. I had the honor of moderating this conversation at the 2025 Young, Smart, Local conference with ecosystem builders I deeply admire: Tyrance Billingsley II of Black Tech Street, Desiree Frieson of Build in Tulsa and Jake Cronin with Tulsa for You and Me — all of them leading work that defines what structural belonging looks like in practice. Nearly half of our Rooted™ participants come through Tulsa Remote, a one-year immersive program. Our data revealed that 83% report plans to stay beyond their year, which begins to reveal something deeper: belonging has become designable, measurable, and sustaining. Black Tech Street and Build in Tulsa make that possible, turning cultural equity into economic mobility. And that’s the real blueprint for retention when access creates agency, and agency creates a city people choose to build within. #BelongingAsInfrastructure #Rooted #BuildInTulsa #BlackTechStreet #EconomicMobility #TulsaInnovation

Today’s panel brings together higher education leaders to discuss how to balance academic, social, and operational priorities through inclusive and flexible design strategies: 🔹 Bonita D., Vice President of Facilities Management, Clark Atlanta University 🔹 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒔 𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒏, Vice President for Facilities, Duke University 🔹 Michelle McCoy, MHA, Senior Director of Space Management, UC Irvine 💬 Moderated by: Scott W., Senior Director, State and Local Government Programs, Everon This conversation explores how thoughtful campus planning can foster collaboration, support well-being, and adapt to the evolving needs of modern learners and educators. #OpalGroup #CampusFacilities #LabsAndResearch #EduTechFacilities #HigherEducation #Innovation #FacilitiesDesign #AcademicInnovation #Networking #LiveEvents #Summits  

Excited to see how our higher education projects are evolving! At HED, we’re embracing design strategies that support innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability across campuses. Some of the trends shaping our work: - Flexible, Tech-Enabled Spaces: Classrooms that support hybrid and collaborative learning. - Sustainable Design: Energy-efficient systems and materials that create healthier, greener campuses. - Community-Focused Spaces: Shared areas and flexible layouts that encourage connection and engagement. These trends guide how we design learning environments that inspire students and foster community. Explore how we design learning environments that inspire students and foster community here: https://ow.ly/CnFI30sQzKV

What does it take to launch your career and lead community impact projects? Amanda Goodenow is showing us how. Her Dordt University roots shaped the drive, and ISG provided the place to grow fast and lead with impact. #ISG #PublicWorks #EmployeeSpotlight #CareersWithImpact #EngineeringDesign

Excited to see how our higher education projects are evolving! At HED, we’re embracing design strategies that support innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability across campuses. Some of the trends shaping our work: - Flexible, Tech-Enabled Spaces: Classrooms that support hybrid and collaborative learning. - Sustainable Design: Energy-efficient systems and materials that create healthier, greener campuses. - Community-Focused Spaces: Shared areas and flexible layouts that encourage connection and engagement. These trends guide how we design learning environments that inspire students and foster community. Explore how we design learning environments that inspire students and foster community here: https://ow.ly/XAY730sQjPg