Dr. Marquis Victor walked to the front of the room before a single data slide hit the screen. That was the choice. That was the message. Last Thursday, June 11, roughly 500 people gathered at Endicott College for ECCF‘s State of Essex County 2026 — nonprofit leaders, elected officials, donors, and business owners. Before anyone read a statistic, Marquis —

Arts and culture aren’t separate from tourism. Tourism isn’t separate from arts and culture. They are integrated, and in Massachusetts communities like Beverly, that integration is driving real economic growth – more visitors, more spending, more jobs, and a stronger local identity. I’ve been saying this for years. A few weeks ago, I got to make that case on stage

  Creativity Connects with Mikki Wilson is a podcast from Creative Collective that amplifies the voices and stories of women entrepreneurs who are members of the Creative Collective. In each episode, host Mikki Wilson sits down with a woman business owner from the Creative Collective community to explore her unique journey, what drives her, and where she’s headed next. Local

Creative Collective was honored to attend The Salem Pantry‘s 2nd Annual Impact Breakfast on June 25th, where we witnessed firsthand how one organization is transforming North Shore food security across our region. Community-Powered Impact: The Power of Partnership The Salem Pantry’s success isn’t just about professional staff—an incredible community of supporters powers it. 1,103 volunteers contributed over 10,010 hours in

As creatives, community builders, and culture makers, we face a pivotal moment for our sector’s future. The Trump administration’s recent attacks on arts and humanities funding represent an existential threat to America’s vibrant cultural infrastructure. Recent developments—from mass cancellation of NEA grants to proposed elimination of major cultural agencies—demand that we stand together. [Sources: NPR, Seattle Times] The Unfolding Crisis

Celebrating 4/20 with Creative Collective: A Day of Art, Ale, and Film in Salem As the cultural epicenter of the North Shore, Salem has always embraced diverse forms of expression. This April 20th, also known as 4/20, Creative Collective members (and more) are set to host an array of events that promise to blend arts, culture, and social spirits to

Ring in the New Year with many thrilling local events on the North Shore of Massachusetts! As we bid farewell to 2023 and welcome 2024, make your New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day unforgettable with various dining, entertainment, and special event options in your neighborhood. From cozy dinners to lively parties, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Start the

Salem Welcomes its Furry (and Scaly) Friends for a Day of Community Fun Are you a pet lover looking for a fantastic community event in Salem? Then mark your calendars because Salem Main Streets is thrilled to announce the return of the Howl-o-ween Pet Parade! This event brings joy to the entire community by featuring an array of animals—be it

The Salem Athenaeum is pleased to announce the fourteenth Salem Literary Festival (aka Salem Lit Fest), happening September 5-10. Most of this year’s festival will be held in person in locations around Salem, with a few sessions only offered online. The Lit Fest features more than 40 notable writers from across genres sharing their stories and writing advice with each