The Arts is big business. That's the message that more than 100 arts and policy leaders heard yesterday at the Arizona Biltmore from leaders of three national models to drive economic development through arts and culture.

Representatives of successful initiatives in Atlanta, Cleveland, and Denver presented strategies to galvanize regional, broad-based support for the arts and culture. The goal is to transform them into integral components of the community fabric and billion-dollar economic drivers.

The event represents a key preliminary step in a local effort led by four foundations. The project involves examining contemporary issues facing local arts organization, then potentially developing a regional plan to advance their artistic missions and strengthen their capital bases.

This project began in 2002 with a comprehensive study by Adrian Ellis, an internationally-respected arts consultant, involving interviews and focus groups with dozens of Valley arts and policy leaders. Ellis' work culminated in a report that detailed the impact of a growing population base, changing demographics, a down economy, and other key factors. It also presented recommendations, including one to encourage regional collaborative efforts by both arts organizations and funders.

Though the three cities tailored distinctive approaches, common strategies emerged:

• Pulling together diverse groups and individuals from the public and private sectors—arts, business, tourism, philanthropy, education, government, and others.
• Recognizing and taking advantage of the economic development power of arts and culture.
• Enhancing the quality of life as a means to attract businesses and workers in the knowledge economy.
• Generating public awareness and support before asking for additional public and private revenues for arts and cultural organizations.

 

The event was hosted by four foundations: The Flinn Foundation, J.W. Kieckhefer Foundation, Margaret T. Morris Foundation, and The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust.

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More information:

Arizona Republic, 3/21/03

Event Presenters

Profiles of Three Cities

The Arts in Arizona (Adrian Ellis report)

Vital & Valuable: The Economic Impact of Valley Nonprofit Arts and Their Audiences

Atlanta plan:
Summary
Atlanta Regional Arts Task Force
PowerPoint presentation

Cleveland plan:
Summary
The Community Partnership for Arts and Culture
PowerPoint presentation

Denver plan:
Summary
Colorado Business Committee for the Arts
Scientific and Cultural Facilities District