New Bedford Creative has launched a new directory to connect and promote the city’s creative community, according to a community announcement.
The New Bedford Creative Directory, now live at newbedfordcreative.org, aims to spotlight the people, places and organizations that contribute to the city’s cultural and economic vibrancy. The initiative was developed in collaboration with the New England Foundation for the Arts and its CreativeGround platform.
The directory is a free tool for visual artists, performers, culture bearers and creative businesses. It replaces a previous version and offers enhanced functionality and visual appeal. Users can create profiles for free and access step-by-step guidance at creativeground.org/dig.
“This new Creative Directory isn’t just an upgrade — it’s a game-changer,” said Margo Saulnier, creative strategist for New Bedford Creative at the New Bedford Economic Development Council. “It’s designed to celebrate and strengthen the creative ecosystem in greater New Bedford by making it easier than ever to connect, collaborate and showcase the incredible talent right here in our own backyard.”
The directory’s launch is the result of a partnership with NEFA, whose CreativeGround platform supports artists, cultural nonprofits and creative businesses across New England. The platform aims to increase visibility and encourage collaboration within the arts community.
Behind the scenes, the directory’s functionality and integration with the New Bedford Creative website were developed by Patrick Gleavey and his team at PSG Media. They created a custom backend architecture that allows users to share photos, links, bios and more directly from their CreativeGround profiles.
“Partnering with New Bedford Creative has been an absolute pleasure!” said Dee Schneidman, senior program director at NEFA. “They are a wonderful example of local leaders who leverage everything they can for their creative community — from promoting the site and hosting trainings that support creatives to participate, to reviewing the listings and helping with cleanup behind the scenes, their collaborative spirit helps New Bedford shine locally, statewide and across New England.”
New Bedford Creative is a program of the New Bedford Economic Development Council and is responsible for implementing the city’s first-ever strategic arts and culture plan, launched in December 2018. The plan envisions a city where “the creative community is an engaged and powerful partner, inspiring social, economic and cultural growth.”
With the launch of the New Bedford Creative Directory, that vision is more alive than ever. The directory serves as a resource for building community and forging new opportunities, whether users are looking to collaborate with fellow artists, hire local talent or explore the region’s cultural offerings.
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