Plans to form creative advisory group

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Film, gaming, music and digital media all fall under the category of creative industries and Austin is poised to take advantage of opportunities that exist in those areas.

Mayor Lee Leffingwell Friday announced plans to form the Mayor's Creative Industry Advisory Group. It will consist of local leaders from Austin's creative industries.

This meeting of the creative minds has been happening the past two years, according to city staff, but now the group will be formalized.

“We must continue to look for opportunities to support of live music scene,” said Mayor Leffingwell. “Our musicians, and our live music industry, contribute over one billion dollars to our city coffers. And, they help make Austin a great community.”

The Creative Industries Advisory Group will also work to update the data collected during the 2001 Music Study, 2004 Film Study and 2006 Gaming Industry Study.

“Austin has a strong film community,” said Leffingwell . “We have a strong video gaming production scene. These industries employ thousands and bring a lot of opportunities to our city.”

The advisory group will also explore a potential city grant program to compliment the State of Texas Creative Fund, encourage academic expansion of creative development degrees at area colleges and a possible creative industry incubator.

Members of the new group are:

• Tim League, Alamo Drafthouse
• Brad Spies, SXSW
• Ben Brown, No Show Ponies
• Paige Maguire, Austinist.com
• Rebecca Campbell, Austin Film Studios
• Rodney Gibbs, Ricochet Labs,
• Tony Schum, Austin Chamber of Commerce
• James Moody, The Mohawk
• Michael Feferman, Austin City Limits – C3 Presents
• Paul Ovesi, Austin Music People
   

The 2004 Film and Visual Media Study found that the film industry adds $360 million dollars to the local economy and creates 3,500 jobs annually.

The 2001 Music Study found the industry adds $616 million dollars annually to Austin’s economy and almost 11,200 jobs.

The 2005 Cultural Update found Austin music receipts amounted to $419,208,316 and music-related tourism reached $580,242,172 in economic impact, which is $1 billion in combined economic impact.

The 2006 Entertainment Software/Digital Media Industry (Gaming) Study found the industry accounts for over $200 million in local economic impact annually and employs over 1,100 people.