On Thursday, May 27, the 2025 edition of the Otis College Report on the Creative Economy was released at a dynamic event hosted at Snap Inc.’s headquarters in Santa Monica. Supported by the Snap Foundation, the gathering brought together creative industry leaders, policymakers, educators, and media to explore the latest trends shaping California’s creative economy.
The program opened with a compelling presentation of key findings by Patrick Adler and Taner Osman of Westwood Economics and Planning Associates, the research firm that partners with Otis College to produce the annual report. Attendees were also given a first look at the newest updates to the Otis Creative Economy Dashboard, an interactive digital tool launched last year that allows users to explore real-time data across creative sectors throughout California.
The event culminated in a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Design Hub L.A.: Powering the Creative Economy,” moderated by acclaimed writer and broadcaster Frances Anderton. The conversation highlighted Los Angeles’s influence as a global design capital and featured an impressive lineup of panelists:
Both the in-person experience and a concurrent livestream drew an engaged audience, reinforcing the report’s reputation as a vital annual touchstone for the creative economy in Los Angeles and across California.
Now in its 18th year, the Otis College Report on the Creative Economy continues to be an essential resource that examines the impact of the creative sector across arts, media, design, fashion, and beyond. Since its inception in 2007, the report has evolved into a multifaceted research initiative, including the interactive Dashboard, special studies, and public programs that keep pace with emerging trends and shifting economic dynamics.
The Otis Creative Economy Dashboard remains a cornerstone of the program. This free, publicly accessible tool provides dynamic and customizable insights into creative sector performance across the state. From sector-specific analysis to regional comparisons, it empowers users—from policymakers to researchers—to track historical trends, analyze current data, and inform strategic decisions with real-time information.
Cited in publications such as The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, The Wrap, and Business Insider, the report and dashboard continue to serve as authoritative references for industry leaders, arts institutions, and nonprofit organizations.
