In an era where uncertainty is the new normal, the greatest asset a community can cultivate is not just data or infrastructure – it is creativity. And creativity does not emerge from a vacuum. It is nurtured in spaces where art, culture, and innovation intersect. Rockville is one of those places.
As the CEO of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI), I see fi rsthand how Rockville’s biotech and life sciences strength – now ranked third in the nation – is matched by a thriving creative ecosystem. That pairing is not coincidental. The same traits that fuel scientifi c discovery – pattern recognition, empathy, problem-solving – are developed and sharpened through the arts.
In the book A Whole New Mind, Daniel H. Pink says, “The future belongs to creators and empathizers, pattern recognizers, and meaning makers.” Art disciplines – from writing and music to painting and dance – train us to see both the big picture and the subtle detail. These skills, when applied beyond the arts, shape resilient entrepreneurs, innovative scientists, and dynamic community leaders.
According to Americans for the Arts, in 2022, the nonprofi t arts sector contributed over $73 billion to the national economy, supporting 2.6 million jobs. Here in Montgomery County, the arts generate $184 million and support nearly 4,000 jobs. But the economic impact tells only part of the story.
The National Governors Association identified five powerful roles the arts play in economic development: driving cluster growth, revitalizing communities, boosting workforce competitiveness, enhancing placemaking, and creating more innovative industries. In Rockville, public art installations, cultural festivals, and creative retail incubators do more than beautify – they help businesses thrive and residents feel connected.
Innovation does not only come from certainty – it often comes from chaos. The most groundbreaking ideas are born when the path is not clear, when the data does not exist, and when rules are being rewritten. That is where creativity becomes a survival skill. It empowers us to ask, “What could this become?” rather than, “What might we lose?”
Leaning into uncertainty takes courage. But it also opens the door to reinvention. In Rockville, we are creating a community where life science breakthroughs and local art installations exist side by side. Where murals tell stories of who we are, and labs invent the solutions of tomorrow.
The arts are not just nice to have. They are a strategic imperative for economic development. In an ever-evolving world, they ground us in identity, propel us toward innovation, and light the way through uncertainty.
And that is why creativity must remain at the center of how we grow.
Cynthia Rivarde, with over 20 years of leadership experience, is the Chief Executive Officer of Rockville Economic Development, Inc., a public-private partnership providing economic development services and technical assistance to businesses.
