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[instrumental music]
[male narrator] Now, it might be said that having a digital storytelling industry
in Kansas City is a silly idea, nonsensical, some may even call it mad.
So I'd like to tell you a little story about Alice's adventures in workforce development
in a funny little place called Kansas City with our deepest apologies to Mr. Carroll.
We begin with a tea party in the rose garden.
Why there's Count Basie, Thomas Hart Benton,
and there's old Ernest, you all know Ernest, and here's Bob.
Yes, KC was once a real hub for creative genius.
Oh look, there's the white rabbit.
Where's he going?
He's going down the rabbit hole.
Look at all this stuff, museums, schools, a vibrant art scene that includes film and theatre,
and workforce development agencies.
Kansas City has all these neat things but they're not connected.
You see, they're just sorta hanging there.
Oh look, here's Alice.
No, that won't do at all, will it?
You see, right now if companies in Kansas City need media work done for them,
chances are they go to California.
Actors, designers, editors, writers, animators,
you see most of the workers in KC are qualified for technical support,
how are we ever going to catch up?
I guess we'll have to call in the cavalry.
Oh, hello boys, just what we needed.
Fall in.
Present arms.
What we need is workforce training
to build ourselves a labor force with qualified workers.
But how do we do that?
We create training programs, maybe think outside the box.
Degrees may not always be the best thing
so we might want to consider technical certifications, good old apprenticeships,
and cross train the folks we already have
but we also need economic development to help pay for those programs,
with that we need grants, and state funds.
That's what I call playing with a full deck.
I guess there's only one question left,
why would our little piece of the heartland make a good center for this industry?
--I think I can answer that. Why Kansas City?
Because we know how to build industries
whether it be animal health, casinos, or transportation.
We have the skills and talent in our area to build a digital storytelling industry.
Kansas City has a revitalized urban core with an affordable cost of living
which makes it a more attractive place than ever to live.
We have world class art facilities including the Bloch building at the Nelson
and the new Kauffman Performing Arts Center to attract and grow a vibrant art community.
Digital storytelling is our story, how will we tell it?