I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for Gov. Matt Meyer’s leadership in issuing Executive Order No. 1, which prioritizes apprenticeships and career pathway programs in Delaware. The fact that this was his administration’s first executive order underscores the critical importance of workforce development and your commitment to expanding opportunities for Delawareans.
I also want to extend my deep appreciation to former Governor, now Mayor, John Carney, former Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock, Chief Deputy Secretary of State Kristopher Knight, and Delaware Division of the Arts Director Jessica Ball. It has been a privilege to work alongside them in advancing equitable access to the arts in our schools and communities. Their commitment has been instrumental in ensuring that the arts remain a vital part of Delaware’s cultural and economic landscape.
Looking ahead, I am eager to work with the governor, Secretary of State Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez, and to continue working with Chief Deputy Secretary of State Kristopher Knight and Director Jessica Ball. Together, we can make Delaware a national leader in supporting the creative economy as a key driver of workforce development, economic growth, and educational advancement.
The governor’s executive order aligns with the Creative Economy Advancement & Tourism Expansion (CREATE) Plan commissioned by the Delaware Arts Alliance, which outlines strategic recommendations for strengthening Delaware’s creative economy and cultural tourism sector.
Specifically, the plan highlights the need for career development opportunities for secondary education students, an area where the executive order’s focus on apprenticeships can make a significant impact. Additionally, the CREATE Plan calls for expanding career pathway courses and associate degrees related to the creative economy, ensuring that young people and adults can access structured educational opportunities in the arts.
Another key recommendation from the plan is to increase collaboration between the arts sector and workforce development initiatives, a goal that your administration’s commitment to career pathways can help realize. By integrating these recommendations into the state’s broader workforce development framework, we can ensure that Delaware’s creative economy continues to thrive.
The arts have an essential role to play in strengthening Delaware’s economy. The creative economy in our state supports 18,551 jobs, generates a total economic output of $3.7 billion, and contributes $2.2 billion in gross value added. Nationally, the arts and culture sector contributed $1.016 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2021, highlighting the significant return on investment that creative industries provide. The implementation of the governor’s executive order presents an extraordinary opportunity to integrate the arts into the workforce development ecosystem, ensuring that career pathways include creative disciplines alongside STEM and technical fields.
With the establishment of the Working Group to guide these efforts, I hope that a representative from the arts sector will also be included so that our organizations have a seat at the table and a voice in these conversations. The creative economy is a driver of employment and innovation and a critical pillar of education, cultural identity, and tourism. Including an arts leader in these discussions will ensure that our state fully capitalizes on the creative sector’s potential to contribute to workforce and economic development.
Additionally, I encourage a focus on youth apprenticeship programs that extend beyond high school, emphasizing the critical age range of 18-25. Across the country, workforce development initiatives have demonstrated that this age group benefits immensely from structured pathways into careers. Providing accessible and meaningful apprenticeship opportunities for young adults will not only expand economic mobility but also ensure that our creative industries continue to thrive.
At Elevate Vocal Arts, my organization, we are deeply committed to workforce development through the arts. Our Summer Institute currently offers 16 apprenticeships, where participants engage in intensive, hands-on training in vocal artistry and business development.
These apprentices work rigorously throughout the summer, and we are proud to share that 100% of our program graduates have secured paid contracts upon completion. Over the past two years, we have successfully run two cohorts, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in providing tangible career opportunities. However, despite our success, we are severely limited by resources. We firmly believe that apprenticeship programs should provide fair compensation for participants, and additional funding and support would allow us to expand and serve even more aspiring artists.
Other arts-based workforce development programs have also taken root in Delaware, with significant initiatives at the Delaware Art Museum and Opera Delaware. These programs further illustrate that the arts are not merely an enrichment activity but a legitimate and sustainable career pathway.
Currently, our Vo-Tech schools lack meaningful career and technical education (CTE) programs in the arts. I would welcome the opportunity to serve as a thought partner in developing a robust arts-focused career pathway program for Delaware’s vocational schools. In addition, expanding post-secondary opportunities—such as the Associate of Arts program at the University of Delaware. There are also very preliminary discussions within the School of Music about an associate in arts program, which can significantly increase access to additional four-year degree programs. A well-developed associate program would diversify the School of Music and transform the demographics of our state’s music educators, creating a ripple effect that benefits generations to come.
Ultimately, these programs are about ensuring access—access to careers, access to education, and access to opportunity for those who have historically faced systemic barriers to success. Investing in the arts as part of Delaware’s workforce strategy will strengthen our economy, boost tourism, and increase tax revenue, all while fostering a more inclusive and innovative society.
Governor Meyer, I applaud your leadership in prioritizing workforce development. I agree that we must create more “learn to earn” opportunities throughout the state. I am excited to be a supporter and to partner with you and your administration as you continue expanding these efforts to integrate the arts into Delaware’s economic future. In so doing, we will see a stronger Delaware, a more inclusive Delaware, and more thriving Delaware.
Let’s go!
Arreon A. Harley-Emerson is the CEO and Artistic Director of Elevate Vocal Arts. He is also the president and CEO of Equity Sings as well as a past member of the Delaware Arts Alliance Board.
