Jonathan Bowles of the Center for an Urban Future sent us an email about an interesting panel the group will be co-sponsoring with the Brooklyn Economic Development Corp. at the Brooklyn Public Library on Wednesday, March 5. It’s called “Harnessing Brooklyn’s Creative Capital: The Impact of Self-Employed Creative Professionals on the Borough’s Economy.” It will take place from 8:30AM to 10:30AM in the Dweck Auditorium at the Library on Grand Army Plaza. Here’s a bit from the material about it:

Brooklyn has become a magnet for self-employed writers, photographers, jewelry designers, film makers and other creative entrepreneurs. This cluster of self-employed creative freelancers is having an increasingly powerful impact on the economy of the borough and the city, and it holds enormous potential for the future. Yet this part of the economy remains largely under the radar of policy makers and economic development officials. And its continued growth is by no means certain. This forum will examine the size and scope of this new growth sector in Brooklyn, discuss the unique challenges and obstacles facing self-employed creative professionals and explore public and private sector strategies for supporting this part of the borough’s economy.

Panelists include Scott Adkins, Playwright and Founder, Brooklyn Writers Space, Pauline Barfield, President of Barfield Public Relations, Heather Chaplin, Journalist and Author of Smart Bomb, Sara Horowitz, Founder and Executive Director of the Freelancers Union and Michael Kelly, an Adjunct Professor at Pratt. Mr. Bowles in the moderator. Email cuf (at) nycfuture (dot) org or call 212-479-3341 to reserve a free seat.