A Message from the Director

By James Henderson

Bellevue’s creative edge is the convergence of the community’s diversity, its focus on the arts and particularly creative learning, and of course, its global leadership in digital and interactive technologies. How might the City do a better job of cultivating these strengths?

Editor’s Note: Bellevue’s Economic Development and Arts teams are increasingly working together. We asked our director, James Henderson, what that means for the future of the office and of Bellevue.

I’m excited to unveil the next iteration of our office! Economic Development and the Arts Program have combined to form the Cultural and Economic Vitality Office. Our mission is to build a foundation for broad-based community prosperity by supporting innovation and growth among artists, entrepreneurs and businesses.

So . . . why is this happening? Our recent Creative Edge study provides some clues.

The study, which was released earlier this year, found that companies and creatives alike choose Bellevue for a number of key reasons. These include the community’s diversity, its focus on the arts and particularly creative learning, and of course, its global leadership in digital and interactive technologies.

But the study also found that tech talent is becoming increasingly mobile, as creatives seek out unique, inspiring places to live and work. Businesses are increasingly chasing talent, instead of expecting workers to come to them. And creatives — the artists, performers, restaurateurs, and designers who often make places interesting to live, work, or play in the first place — are increasingly being priced out of the market.

Bellevue’s interactive media industry is just one part of its creative edge.

This convergence of trends indicates that our city’s “creative edge” must be deliberately cultivated. By merging into one office, the Economic Development and Arts teams can more closely align our work to capitalize on Bellevue’s unique strengths and strategically address these pressing challenges.

We have big plans for the remainder of 2018, 2019 . . . and beyond! Look for our office to work with public- and private-sector partners to highlight and plan new public programs, unveil new signature public artworks, and reimagine some of Bellevue’s most prominent public spaces. As we launch these new initiatives, we will of course remain focused on attracting innovative new companies to Bellevue, cultivating new small businesses and creative nonprofits through Startup 425, and supporting our local artists, cultural nonprofits, and creatives.

One of the reasons why I’ve always enjoyed working in economic development is that every day is different — and the only constant is change. Moving forward, we invite you to join our team in writing a new chapter for Bellevue! Working together, the Cultural and Economic Vitality Office can continue to better support the businesses, artists, and residents who make Bellevue “the city where you want to be.”

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James Henderson is the City of Bellevue’s Cultural and Economic Vitality Director. When he’s not working to cultivate business on the Eastside and in the greater Seattle region, you might find him hiking in the Cascades with his dog, Guinness.