There are many ways Marquette can set itself apart and promote the area to the rest of the world.

There is, of course, its remote outdoor beauty, with Lake Superior, rugged terrain and wilderness areas concentrated in the region.

The city has many buildings of architectural interest, such as the old City Hall, the former orphanage that now is Grandview Marquette and St. Peter Cathedral.

However, those are extrinsic things of interest. Marquette can distinguish itself further by focusing on the intrinsic things that make it a special place to live.

One of these ways is fostering local creative communities so they have a place to thrive and grow.

The “Seat at the Table” series is a good start.

The series brings together local creative community volunteers of different artistic disciplines to the Ampersand Coworking Space, a spot that recently opened along West Washington Street. The events are spearheaded by Evolve MQT, which operates with the Marquette Chamber of Commerce to promote economic growth for the creative class.

Participants share with each other their successes and challenges. For example, musicians Dylan Trost and Walt Lindala talked about their experiences at a recent Seat at the Table gathering. During that session, Trost said he is supported when surrounded by other artists who are dong what they like to do.

Like-minded individuals, whether it be in the arts, business, sports or other arena, can foster each other since they have common interests and experiences. Their discussions likely are to be much fruitful than if they speaking with, say, members of a government commission or civic group.

They might try to understand the creative community, but they don’t have the shared experiences.

Long-term goals for Evolve MQT include gathering information to help it better understand the needs of the creative community and its economy.

The local economy, after all, has multiple components, and art should be one of those components — through art galleries, public sculptures and concerts at places such as the Peter White Public Library, Kaufman Auditorium and the Presque Isle Bandshell.

Practicing their art, of course, will benefit the artists creatively, but if they can find ways to make more money with their passions, that will stir the economy. If their art brings in people from in and around the region, that will bring in dollars to the community as a whole as well.

It’s an aesthetic thing too. As a tourist, would you rather sit outside and eat lunch in a blah downtown, or one where you can see flower planters or a colorful mural on the side of a building, and listen to street musicians?

Most people would find the latter scenario the more enriching of the two.

Art makes a community more vibrant, and if it can boost the economy, even better.

That’s why we want to see the Seat at the Table conversations continue. Everyone benefits.