A treasure worth discovering and nurturing in our community are our artists. Local artists offer a unique perspective, creating true homegrown works. If local matters - and it does - and with the decree shop local being the mantra of the moment, then we need to recognize this applies to the arts as well. Too often considered a cost to a community; a line item in the budget, with little thought of the return, the arts ROI (return on investment) can be significant.
According to Americans for the Arts’ fifth economic impact study of the nation’s nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and their audiences, the arts provide economic prosperity for America by every measure.
According to the study, the nonprofit arts generated $166.3 billion of economic activity in 2015, $102.5 billion in event-related expenditures by their audiences, $63.8 billion in spending by arts and cultural organizations, $27.5 billion generated in revenue to local, state and federal governments, and 4.6 million jobs were supported, “The arts are an investment that delivers both community well-being and economic vitality," Robert L. Lynch, president & CEO, Americans for the Arts
“Less quantifiable, but equally valuable: art helps create community identity and vibrancy” says Kristina Newman-Scott, Director of Culture, State of Connecticut, Department of Economic and Community Development.
Cultivating the arts as an economic driver - Arts for Eco - can have an impact at the local level. Area artists can partner with local shops and restaurants to display their work or give live performances. An example of this is the New Milford Art Walk where visitors’ journey by map through downtown businesses and watch artists at work – painters, dancers, musicians and poets – spending time and money in local businesses. The intersection of art and commerce. It is a win-win.
Creativity is an essential element in creating business. We can stimulate our economy right here in Southbury by developing and supporting spaces that offer a community approach, where the sharing of ideas and creativity can flow freely, and entrepreneurism can flourish. “This is why maker spaces, hacker spaces, co-working spaces, art studios, recording studios, networking groups, happy hours are all so important,” said Tony Vengrove, founder of Makery Coworking said upon receiving the 2018 Business Supports the Arts award from the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut. “The arts community needs infrastructure to support its work. The arts is business - big business. We should not just donate to the arts, we should invest in the arts.”
If you are an artist that wants to partner with the business community, or a business owner with a heart for the arts, please contact the Office of Economic Development at 203.262.0683 or email: EcoDevDirector@southbury-ct.gov.
Kevin Bielmeier
Economic Development Director
Town of Southbury
EcoDevDirector@southbury-ct.gov
(203) 262-0683
[This article first appeared in Southbury Neighbors magazine.]