[Hidden-tech] Connect to the Creative Cluster!

[A - Z International]

Hi all,

Several of us attended the fabulous Creative Summit held at 
Greenfield Community College on Saturday and co-sponsored by the 
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.

What impressed me was the focus on how to pragmatically utilize the 
arts to promote Greenfield and Franklin County's economy. There was 
the inclusion of Hidden-Tech and the digital arts and an emphasis on 
building sustainable economic entities, not just putting on arts 
shows (as wonderful as they are.)

As someone who comes from a family that's half industrial sector and 
half the arts, I know how terribly hard it is for arts organizations 
to survive today. Artists of all stripes -- and I include writers and 
photographers in this category along with the fine arts -- need to 
learn to be entrepreneurial and utilize technology. GCC, the Franklin 
Chamber, the Creative Initiative -- and now Hidden-Tech as part of 
this effort -- can help them.

Already, there are a number of entrepreneurial enterprises growing 
up. These folks need business planners, Web designers, financing and 
marketing/PR. They need to transfer their art to digital formats and 
find ways to utilize e-commerce to maximize sales.

If you are interested in learning more, you should reach the 
following and say that you are from Hidden-Tech:

Ann Hamilton, president of the chamber at annh at franklincc.org

Dee Boyle-Clapp at "Dee Boyle-Clapp" <Boyle-ClappD at gcc.mass.edu>

And look for a future Hidden-Tech/Creative Cluster program -- 
possibly at GCC's downtown office in February.

best,

Amy Zuckerman
Hidden-Tech Founder, Clerk