Using film and music as yeast in economic development brew

Oklahoma is not typically considered a hot-bed for the music and film industry. One of the exceptions that I know about is the Flaming Lips, a rock/performance group. The Lips' manager, Scott Booker, is contributing to the discussion being convened by the Oklahoma Film and Music Office. Julie Bisbee's article for The Oklahoman (Tulsa) traces some of the partnerships and festivals that are a means of establishing a vital creative community.

How important is a creative community to the economic health of a region? What is needed to foster that creative community?

http://newsok.com/in-past-few-years-oklahoma-has-become-a-place-on-the-map-for-film-music-industries/article/3278145/?tm=1217738819