In the spring and summer of 2020, as the COVID-19 Pandemic ripped through the United States and created unprecedented challenges for small business across the country. In response, Mayor Kimberley Driscoll assembled a task force of half a dozen local organizations and officials and created the EDRR (Economic Development Recovery and Revitalization) Task Force. Creative Collective was invited to the team as a leader and gateway to the creative workforce, freelancers, and small businesses throughout the North Shore.
Over the course of 20 weeks, Creative Collective founder John Andrews attended the bi-weekly meetings and industry breakouts and facilitated a roundtable discussion with local gig workers and freelancers in the creative community. Through this process, John was able to not only engage with the larger business community, but also was able to inject the skills, talents, and importance of the creative workforce into the traditional business landscape.
In partnership with Destination Salem, John helped steer communications of the task force. With the support of the Creative Collective team and Collective members, we created marketing and branding that was used citywide to offer practical assistance on best business practices as well as safety specific guidelines in response to the COVID crisis.
A few projects that were developed as part of the EDRR program that Creative Collective contributed to:
Salem Outdoor Retail And Dining Initiative in response to COVID-19
The Salem Together Pledge Tool Kit and Video
Business Support Graphics
Designed by Michelle Garcia for EDRR
Health and Safety Graphics
Designed by Michelle Garcia for EDRR
Designed by @annadidathing for Creative Collective/City of Salem
