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Grand Lake is calling on all creatives within 100 miles to take a survey, the results of which will be used to design a workforce housing project for creative-types.
The call is growing louder with time waning to take the online survey that’s open to any creatives who live or work within a 100-mile radius of Grand Lake, an area that encompasses places like Summit County, Steamboat Springs and Clear Creek County.
In its request for people to take the survey, the Grand Lake Creative District is painting “creatives” with a broad brush, one that covers a wide variety of activities, even if they’re only hobbies.
Think of it like this, creatives could be musicians, photographers, glassblowers, woodworkers, welders, actors, chefs and writers. So too could they be architects, fabricators, mentors, class teachers and website designers, just to name a few of the not-so-obvious creative-types.
“We are interested in learning about your needs for space to live and work, create, make things, practice, rehearse, display and perform and otherwise support your creative work,” the survey tells its takers.
The results will advance plans for new workforce housing in Grand Lake. Because the survey is so important, explained DiAnn Butler, Grand County’s economic development director, the Grand Lake Creative District is hoping for a massive response.
“We especially want people who are needing affordable housing to be taking the survey,” she said, emphasizing that she hopes frontline workers who are looking for affordable housing and creative outlets can find the time to take the survey.
The project comes as a result of Space to Create Colorado, which boasts being the first state-driven initiative for affordable housing for creative sector workers in the nation.
The program is the driving force behind nine planned projects in eight designated regions in rural, small town and mountain communities across Colorado, including Grand Lake.
The idea behind the program is these developments will stimulate community and economic development by offering affordable housing and workspaces for people involved creative industries, those who make things and those who keep cultural practices alive so that these people can live, work and share their talents year-round.
According to Space to Create Colorado, the nine projects will culminate in a roughly $45 million investment statewide by multiple partners and agencies in direct capital investment.
Butler said that Grand Lake’s Space to Create project is envisioned as 3-5 year process, depending on the scope of the project. Grand Lake is one year in and they’ve already gone through a feasibility study and are now working to identify the types of housing and workspace that are most needed.
Find the survey at GLCreativeMarketSurvey.org. The deadline to respond is Aug. 20.