On Wednesday, May 11 the Joint Committee on the Arts, chaired by Senator Ben Allen, will explore the interwoven role of creativity and innovation as a driving force of California’s economy in diverse industry sectors in regions across the state.

During the hearing, the latest statewide data in this year’s Otis Report on the Creative Economy will be revealed. Now in its third year, the Otis Report on the Creative Economy of California features an expansion highlighting local creative industries via eight regional snapshots, developed with support from the California Arts Council.

What: Hearing of California’s Joint Committee on the Arts “California’s Creative Economy: Annual Update and Regional Breakdowns”

When: Wednesday, May 11, 2016, 1:30 p.m.

Where: State Capitol, Room 3191

Who: Committee Chair, Senator Ben Allen; Committee Vice-Chair, Assemblymember Kansen Chu

With confirmed testimony from:

• Bruce W. Ferguson – President, Otis College of Art and Design
• Kimberly Ritter-Martinez – Economist, Kyser Center for Economic Research, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation
• Craig Watson – Director, California Arts Council
• Angie Kim – President and Chief Executive Officer, Center for Cultural Innovation
• Connie Martinez – Chief Executive Officer, Silicon Valley Creates
• Elizabeth Monoian – Founder and Director, Society for Cultural Exchange, Co-founder, Land Art Generator Initiative
• Deborah Nadoolman Landis – Costume Designer and Historian
• Maurice Woods – Executive Director and Founder, Inneract Project; Senior Experience Design Lead, Microsoft
• Gretchen de Castellane – Director, Hot Wheels Packaging Design, Mattel, Inc.

The hearing will be broadcast live, via an accessible link located at http://senate.ca.gov/.

For further information and to RSVP, please contact committee consultant Lauren Pizer Mains at lauren.pizermains@sen.ca.gov or call (310) 318-6994.

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The mission of the California Arts Council, a state agency, is to advance California through the arts and creativity. The Council is committed to building public will and resources for the arts; fostering accessible arts initiatives that reflect contributions from all of California’s diverse populations; serving as a thought leader and champion for the arts; and providing effective and relevant programs and services.

Members of the California Arts Council include: Chair Donn K. Harris, Vice Chair Nashormeh Lindo, Larry Baza, Phoebe Beasley, Christopher Coppola, Juan Devis, Kathleen Gallegos, Jaime Galli, Louise McGuinness, Steven Oliver, and Rosalind Wyman. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.