{"id":1995713,"date":"2025-09-03T23:33:40","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T23:33:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=1995713"},"modified":"2025-09-03T23:33:40","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T23:33:40","slug":"d-c-mayor-pushes-for-city-to-become-entertainment-hub","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/d-c-mayor-pushes-for-city-to-become-entertainment-hub\/","title":{"rendered":"D.C. mayor pushes for city to become entertainment hub"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>While Washington, D.C., is known as the nation\u2019s capital and the political nerve of the free world, if <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/mayor.dc.gov\/biography\/muriel-bowser\">District Mayor Muriel Bowser <\/a>has her way, the city will also be known as the country\u2019s most vibrant entertainment hub, where tourists and residents can have a good time.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cArts, culture, film and entertainment, and sports are such a big part of our economic growth agenda because they bring people together, they get people excited\u2026and they generate even more pride in our city,\u201d Bowser, 53, said at the launch of <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/202createsmonth.com\/\">202Creates Month<\/a> at Planet World Museum in Northwest D.C. on Aug. 29. \u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s so important that we lean in and double down on the industries that are producing for our city.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As the District braces for cuts in the federal workforce and possibly some facilities because of Trump administration policies and practices, the mayor is still emphasizing the importance of D.C.\u2019s creative culture.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-1    \">\n<style><![CDATA[@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 400px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 640px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 100px;}}]]><\/style>\n<\/aside>\n<p>In her 10th year as the District\u2019s leader, Bowser has consistently talked about diversifying the economy away from the public sector and industries that depend on it and reaching out to embrace tech companies, sports organizations and arts events as a means of generating revenue and employment for residents.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Attendees fellowship at the 2025 launch of 202Creates Month on Aug. 29, at Planet World Museum in Northwest D.C. (Demarco Rush\/The Washington Informer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Data from the District government reveals that in 2016, D.C.\u2019s creative economy generated $2.6 billion for the city. However, presently, the District gets $15.9 billion from the creatives and their work.<\/p>\n<p>Bowser has said that the District is the sports capital because of the number of professional teams that play in the city, which will include the Washington Commanders as of 2030, tentatively. She now says the District is the \u201cCapital of Creativity.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe creative economy in Washington, D.C. employs residents, attracts investment, diversifies our economy and strengthens the vibrancy of our city,\u201d Bowser said.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-202creates-local-d-c-s-hallmark-cultural-activity\"><strong>202Creates: Local D.C.\u2019s Hallmark Cultural Activity\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Operating since 2016, the District\u2019s 202Creates, has worked to support the District\u2019s artists and creative culture.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-2    \">\n<style><![CDATA[@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-2{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 320px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-2{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-2{min-height: 90px;}}]]><\/style>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Bowser, working in concert with the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/entertainment.dc.gov\/\">D.C. Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (<\/a>OCTFME) hosts what is now known as 202Creates Month, using the event to spotlight the talents and industries that fuel the city\u2019s creative economy.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This year\u2019s inaugural 202Creates Con, featured fireside chats, panels, immersive activations, live performances and networking opportunities for residents and stakeholders in the District\u2019s creative community on Aug. 29.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Further, the hallmark ceremony for 202Creates Month is the annual <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.creativeaffairsdc.com\/mayors-arts-awards\">Mayor\u2019s Arts Awards<\/a>, which will take place on Sept. 25.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Bowser praises the emergence of 202Creates Month as a force in the creative economy, saying \u201c202Creates Month is a celebration of the important role artists, entrepreneurs, and innovators play in telling the story of our beautiful and creative city.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/entertainment.dc.gov\/biography\/latoya-foster\">LaToya Foster<\/a>, director of OCTFME, emphasizes the creative economy plays a key role in spurring the District\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-3    \">\n<style><![CDATA[@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-3{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 320px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-3{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-3{min-height: 90px;}}]]><\/style>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201c202Creates is a strategic economic driver that powers our city\u2019s identity as the creative capital and as an innovative economy,\u201d said Foster, adding 202Creates Con offers another layer. \u201cThis year\u2019s inaugural 202Creates Con focused on growth, building a sustainable entertainment infrastructure, and attracting new business to our world-class city.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-atlanta-is-atlanta-d-c-is-d-c\"><strong>\u2018Atlanta Is Atlanta, D.C. is D.C.<\/strong>\u2018<\/h2>\n<p>Historically, the entertainment industry has been associated with studios and offices in California\u2019s Hollywood, Burbank and Universal City, or in New York, with Broadway and the world-renowned theater district.<\/p>\n<p>However, in the past 20 years, Atlanta, Georgia has emerged as a force in the entertainment industry. The capital of the state, Atlanta is a major entertainment hub for the film and television production industry and is noted for its diverse music scene, live venues and festivals.<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tylerperrystudios.com\/\">Tyler Perry Studios <\/a>and Trilith Studios are housed in Atlanta along with a number of independent, yet smaller studios. Films such as the latest \u201cSuperman,\u201d \u201cBlack Panther,\u201d \u201cStranger Things,\u201d \u201cThe Walking Dead\u201d and \u201cAvengers: Endgame,\u201d were produced in the Atlanta area.<\/p>\n<p>Foster said while she admires the work that Atlanta has done in developing its reputation as an entertainment hub, the District stands in a class by itself.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-4    \">\n<style><![CDATA[@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-4{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 320px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-4{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-4{min-height: 90px;}}]]><\/style>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThere is only one D.C.,\u201d Foster said. \u201cWe are the capital of the world. We are expanding our economy, making it more diverse. This is not just a government town anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>John Gibson III is the vice president for public affairs and industry relations at the Motion Picture Association, which is headquartered in Northwest D.C.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He, like Foster, emphasized that the District has a unique history and assets Atlanta does not possess.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBefore there was Atlanta, there was D.C.,\u201d said Gibson. \u201cWe were the original Chocolate City. We are also the capital of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-next-steps-to-becoming-an-entertainment-hub\"><strong>The Next Steps to Becoming an Entertainment Hub<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/herbertniles\">Herbert Niles<\/a>, the associate director for the film division for OCTFME, said his job to make the District more enticing to the film industry.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-5    \">\n<style><![CDATA[@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-5{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 320px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-5{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-5{min-height: 90px;}}]]><\/style>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI focus on the business and the production side of the industry,\u201d he told The Informer. \u201cI stress to film companies, especially Black film companies, that they can stay here and do their work, and they don\u2019t have to go to Atlanta or New York.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Niles said the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/entertainment.dc.gov\/service\/film-tv-entertainment-rebate-fund\">DC Film, Television and Entertainment Rebate Fund <\/a>is a key component in bringing more films and entertainment business concerns to the District. The Fund is set up to encourage the District as a production location for events, whether they are live, television, film, digital or interactive, to support the development of media industry infrastructure projects, and to urge the hiring of residents as cast and crew.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A wide range of rebates to production companies can go as high as 35% and as low as 10% depending on the category. For example, up to 35% of a company\u2019s qualified production expenditures subject to taxation can be rebated while up to 10% of an entity\u2019s qualified personnel expenditures not subject to taxation (non-resident cast and crew) can be given back.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe D.C. Council should increase the tax incentives for film companies to come here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>As the associate director for the film division for OCTFME, Niles said the Fund can be used to attract film companies and build relationships within the industry.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou have to build those relationships,\u201d he said. \u201cWe also connect local businesses with production companies. The people who work in those companies will need to go to the cleaners, eat at restaurants.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"newspack-popup-container newspack-popup hidden  newspack-inline-popup      \" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#FFFFFF;color:#000\" id=\"id_1226884\" data-segments=\"\" data-frequency=\"0,0,0,month\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-right:25px;padding-left:25px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1de7f251 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-join-the-washington-informer-family\"><strong>Join the <em>Washington Informer<\/em> Family!<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>When my father, Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, founded this paper over 60 years ago, he envisioned more than just a newspaper\u2014he dreamed of a platform to uplift our community with stories of triumph and resilience. His unwavering dedication to service shaped our mission, which remains steadfast: to serve, inform, and empower. <strong>Today, providing free, fact-based local journalism is more challenging than ever, but the need has only grown.<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p><strong>Your support is vital to sustaining this legacy.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-thumbnail is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-Denise-Rolark-Barnes-Bio-Page.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Denise Rolark Barnes photo\" class=\"wp-image-1183212\" style=\"width:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-Denise-Rolark-Barnes-Bio-Page.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-Denise-Rolark-Barnes-Bio-Page.png?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-Denise-Rolark-Barnes-Bio-Page.png?resize=600%2C600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-Denise-Rolark-Barnes-Bio-Page.png?resize=400%2C400&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-Denise-Rolark-Barnes-Bio-Page.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-Denise-Rolark-Barnes-Bio-Page.png?w=695&amp;ssl=1 695w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.washingtoninformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-Denise-Rolark-Barnes-Bio-Page-150x150.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>Publisher Denise Rolark-Barnes<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/aside><\/div>\n<p><script type=\"pmdelayedscript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" data-no-optimize=\"1\" data-no-defer=\"1\" data-no-minify=\"1\">\n\t\t!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n\t\t{if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\n\t\tn.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\n\t\tif(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\n\t\tn.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\n\t\tt.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n\t\ts.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script',\n\t\t'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n\t\tfbq('init', '764516102569518');\n\t\tfbq('track', 'PageView', {\"page_title\":\"D.C. Seeks to Become &#8216;Capital of Creativity&#8217;\",\"user_role\":\"guest\",\"event_url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.washingtoninformer.com\\\/dc-mayor-bowser-creative-economy\",\"post_type\":\"post\",\"post_id\":1235841});\n\t\t<\/script><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.washingtoninformer.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While Washington, D.C., is known as the nation\u2019s capital and the political nerve of the free world, if District Mayor Muriel Bowser has her way, the city will also be known as the country\u2019s most vibrant entertainment hub, where tourists and residents can have a good time. \u201cArts, culture, film and entertainment, and sports are [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1995714,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[361610,361611,309797,361612,361613,361614,361615,361616,352095,361617],"class_list":["post-1995713","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-202creates","tag-202creates-month","tag-d-c","tag-herbert-niles","tag-james-wright","tag-john-gibson-iii","tag-latoya-foster","tag-muriel-bowser","tag-trilith-studios","tag-tyler-perry-studios"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DC-mayor-pushes-for-city-to-become-entertainment-hub.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1995713","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1995713"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1995713\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1995714"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1995713"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1995713"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1995713"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}