RUMFORD – Artists, businesspeople and anyone with an appreciation for the River Valley are invited to take part in a Creative Economy Forum set for 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

The creativity and economy of an area go hand in hand, according to the governor’s economic policy, and the River Valley aims to show that it has its share of entrepreneurship and creative, artistic people.

The forum kicks off with a film that documents the transformation of an abandoned Massachusetts mill into a contemporary art museum, titled “Downside Up.”

The powerful film, said the River Valley Arts Initiative coordinator, Becky Welsh, is certain to prompt lots of creative ideas that can be applied to the area.

The featured speaker and facilitator is John Rohman, chairman of the Maine Arts Commission and a former Bangor mayor. He will begin the discussion at 5:45 p.m.

“We want lots of people to come. We’re hoping anyone with an interest in the area will come – artists, civic leaders, local businesspeople, others,” said Scott Christiansen, executive director of the River Valley Growth Council.

The event is jointly sponsored by the Growth Council and the Arts Initiative, with additional help from Worldwide Language Resources.

It’s one of several forums being held around the state to emphasize the concept and importance of a creative economy. A team from the River Valley area plans to attend the subsequent Blaine House Conference, which will be May 6 and 7 in the Bates Mill in Lewiston, to look at ways art, culture and business can work together to create a thriving economy.

Those attending Wednesday will be asked to come up with as many ideas as they can that can lead to such a link locally.

“We will be looking for ideas that will integrate the arts with the area’s economy,” said Welsh.

For the past year, she has been developing a directory of people involved in crafts and the visual and performing arts. A River Valley arts council is being formed, as is the area’s first art gallery.

In addition to providing ideas, those attending will also be invited to take an active part in the development of the arts, perhaps through membership in an arts council, or by marketing the area or helping with fund-raising efforts.

Mary Dube, executive secretary of the Growth Council, said it is hoped that at least three solid ideas will come out of the forum that can serve to get the area started with the creative economy concept. Christiansen said a steering committee of the Growth Council may also devise a plan to facilitate the creation of a creative economy.

The forum, which includes a light supper, takes place in the Rumford Municipal Auditorium, itself a cultural asset to the community, say organizers.
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