“Art isn’t easy.” ~ Stephen Sondheim
Last Fall, the national arts advocacy organization Americans for the Arts reported that spending by arts and cultural organizations in 2022 supported 2.6 million jobs nationwide, $152 billion in spending and $29 billion in income and sales tax revenue to local, state and federal governments. The group’s report, Arts & Economic Prosperity 6, stated that “nonprofit arts and cultural organizations are businesses,” contributing to local economies by creating jobs, purchasing goods and services from local businesses and promoting their local regions by drawing visitors and spending.
In Connecticut, nonprofit arts and culture organizations spent $606 million on payroll and business-related supplies and services, while audiences contributed another $350 million in event-related spending on things like meals, lodging and local transportation. That generated nearly $1 billion in economic impact, the report found.
“Often people think of the arts as extra,” said Liz Shapiro, who leads the Connecticut Office of the Arts, “and they’re not always aware of the contribution that arts and culture make to our Connecticut economy.”1
For this reason, select members of the Southbury Economic Development Commission launched the Arts and Culture Subcommittee in mid-2022. “Southbury has such a vibrant arts presence already,” said Kelly Keenan, who chairs the Subcommittee. “We wanted to be an asset to local artists, businesses and organizations to support and promote their work, while also developing our own diverse and accessible programming.” In the short time since forming, their impact has been significant. Makers Spotlight, their monthly newsletter, features local artists and craftspeople. Their Arts and Culture Calendar curates arts activities, classes and events every month. The past two years they’ve held a popular, free community art event called the Southbury Chalk Walk. Members contribute their time and talents to a variety of events throughout the year, such as “CT Arts & Eats” and the “Holiday Fair”. But perhaps most notable, was leading the Community Quilt and Cookbook Projects for the Town’s 350th Anniversary. For more information or to get involved, visit www.southbury-ct.org/arts or e-mail artsculturesouthbury@gmail.com.
Vicinanza Studios & Gallery (VSG) will hold their Grand Opening March 2nd – 3rd at 493 Heritage Road, Suite 4C in Heritage Village. There will be exhibits, art and writing classes, poetry readings, Argentine Tango, Kids Art Play, Open Studio time, and more. All programs are free to the public. For more information, go to vicinanza-studios.com or stop by.
There is much that may be learned about business and productivity from creatively productive people. But the truth is, we are all creative beings, and can all learn or re-learn how to access our creativity and release it. One person helping people do that is Southbury resident and author Robyn Greenspan. Her new book “Dopamine Hacks: How to Mind Shift and Mood Lift Your Way to Motivation” has exercises to help you get unstuck, tap into your creative juices, and mindfully motivate you toward a more productive, but more importantly, happier life. She’s also a Story Coach, working with business owners on how to tell their story more effectively. Because you are your business. Learn more at www.DopamineHacks.com or www.StoryCraft.coach.
I’ll leave you with this bit of advice. Get up each day and try to turn off that part of your brain that is judging you. Allow your five senses to be open to receiving inspiration from the world around you; take it all in. You will find it, eventually. Meantime, as the Nike ad used to say: “Just Do It.” There’s a word for waiting for the perfect conditions, it’s called procrastination. The painter Chuck Close once said “Inspiration is for amateurs – the rest of us just show up and get to work.”2 So whether your business is art, or you’re practicing the art of business... begin.
References
- https://ctmirror.org/2023/10/16/ct-nonprofit-arts-culture-organizations-economy
- Energize Your Leadership. 2015. “Unleash Your Creativity” Tony Vengrove
Kevin Bielmeier
Economic Development Director
Town of Southbury
EcoDevDirector@southbury-ct.gov
(203) 262-0683
[This article first appeared in Southbury Neighbors magazine.]