Join the Creative Career Coalition
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Join the Creative Career Coalition *
Making Creative Careers Visible, Equitable, and Connected for Brooklyn's Young People.
Join a growing network committed to expanding access and opportunity for Brooklyn's next generation of creative professionals.
Where Brooklyn At?
Brooklyn is home to some of the world's most influential artists, creators, and cultural institutions. Yet too many young Brooklynites face barriers to accessing the education, professional networks, resources, and opportunities needed to build sustainable careers in the creative economy.
Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not.
The Creative Career Coalition (CCC), an initiative led by Building Beats, brings together educators, employers, creative professionals, nonprofit organizations, colleges, workforce development providers, government agencies, and philanthropy to change that.
Together, we're building a more equitable and connected creative workforce pipeline—one that ensures young Brooklynites have the knowledge, relationships, skills, and opportunities to turn their creative interests into meaningful careers.
Why the Coalition Matters
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Why the Coalition Matters *
New York City's creative economy generates billions of dollars in economic activity and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs. Opportunities extend far beyond performing and visual arts into film and television, music, gaming, animation, fashion, advertising, architecture, digital media, technology, marketing, entertainment law, and business operations.
Yet access to these careers remains unequal.
Too often, young people—and the educators and professionals who support them—lack clear information about career pathways, industry expectations, professional networks, and entry points into these fields.
The Creative Career Coalition exists to change that by connecting the organizations and institutions that educate, train, hire, fund, and support Brooklyn's emerging talent.
Our Vision: Visible. Equitable. Connected.
Make Creative Careers Visible
Increase awareness of the full range of careers within the creative economy, including behind-the-scenes, technical, entrepreneurial, and business roles that young people may not know exist.
Make Access More Equitable
Address systemic barriers that disproportionately limit access for young people from historically underrepresented and economically marginalized communities.
Make Pathways More Connected
Strengthen relationships among schools, colleges, community organizations, workforce programs, employers, and industry professionals to create clearer routes from education and training to employment.
What the Coalition Will Do
The Creative Career Coalition will bring together stakeholders across education, workforce development, creative industries, and community organizations to:
Build Connections and Increase Visibility: Strengthen cross-sector partnerships and develop educational and community resources that make creative career pathways more visible, accessible, and connected.
Map Creative Career Pathways: Identify career opportunities, education and training programs, credentials, and workforce entry points to help young Brooklynites navigate pathways into the creative economy.
Equip Youth-Serving Professionals: Provide educators, counselors, and workforce practitioners with the training, industry knowledge, tools, and resources needed to guide young people toward creative career opportunities.
Advance Systems Change: Identify systemic barriers, develop collaborative solutions, and advocate for policies and practices that expand equitable access to creative education, professional networks, and employment opportunities.
Deliver the Creative Career Summit: Plan and host a borough-wide event connecting young people with creative industry professionals, employers, colleges, and training providers to explore careers, build relationships, and access opportunities.
WHO SHOULD JOIN?
We welcome organizations and institutions based in Brooklyn or serving a significant population of Brooklyn young people, including:
NYC public schools and other K–12 education providers
Colleges and universities
College access and success organizations
Workforce development organizations
Nonprofit and community-based organizations
Arts, media, and cultural institutions
Creative industry employers and private-sector companies
Philanthropic organizations and funders
Government agencies
Whether your organization prepares young people for their futures, creates professional opportunities, employs creative talent, or invests in workforce development, there is a place for you in this Coalition.
Coming Together in January 2027
The Creative Career Coalition will convene for its inaugural meeting in January 2027.
Our first gathering will bring organizations together to build relationships, establish shared priorities, and identify opportunities for collective action.
Coalition members will also have opportunities to contribute to the development of the Creative Career Summit, planned for November 2027, bringing together young people, industry professionals, employers, colleges, and training organizations.
Join the Creative Career Coalition
The future of Brooklyn's creative economy should reflect the talent of Brooklyn.
Help us create a borough where young people can see what's possible, access the networks and opportunities they need, and build sustainable careers in the industries shaping our future.
Complete our interest form to receive information about the January 2027 inaugural meeting, Coalition updates, and opportunities to collaborate.