Thank you to the many people who have been blog contributors to, and readers of ArtsBlog over the years. ArtsBlog has long been a space where we uplifted stories from the field that demonstrated how the arts strengthen our communities socially, educationally, and economically; where trends and issues and controversies were called out; and advocacy tools were provided to help you make the case for more arts funding and favorable arts policies.

As part of Americans for the Arts’ recent Strategic Realignment Process, we were asked to evaluate our storytelling communications platforms and evolve the way we share content. As a result, we launched the Designing Our Destiny portal to explore new ways of telling stories and sharing information, one that is consistent with our longtime practice of, “No numbers without a story, and no stories without a number.”

As we put our energy into developing this platform and reevaluate our communications strategies, we have put ArtsBlog on hold. That is, you can read past blog posts, but we are not posting new ones. You can look to the Designing Our Destiny portal and our news items feed on the Americans for the Arts website for stories you would have seen in ArtsBlog in the past.

ArtsBlog will remain online through this year as we determine the best way to archive this valuable resource and the knowledge you’ve shared here.

As ever, we are grateful for your participation in ArtsBlog and thank you for your work in advancing the arts. It is important, and you are important for doing it.

Five Roles for Arts, Culture, and Design in Economic Development

Although economic recovery is beginning to take hold, governors and mayors remain focused on finding better policy and strategies to drive job creation and economic growth. They seem to be gravitating toward five areas:

  1. Identifying and supporting high-growth, entrepreneurial firms and globally-oriented industry clusters.
  2. Creating new growth opportunities for mature industries.
  3. Building places that will attract and foster innovation and businesses.
  4. Finding new uses for old properties, functions for declining districts, and new economic opportunities for growing cities and regions.
  5. Constantly updating workforce skills.

Many are taking an all-hands-on-deck approach as they call on state and city agencies—and not only the obvious economic and workforce development agencies—to create better strategies for long-term economic growth. They are asking energy offices, budget offices, transportation, health, and procurement offices to be more attuned to the success or failure of a local business, technology venture, or job training program.

Some governors and mayors are including arts and cultural agencies in their approaches. The 2012 National Governors Association (NGA) report, “New Engines of Growth: Five Roles for Arts, Culture and Design,” outlines how arts, culture, and design can compel economic solutions in five ways:2

  1. Create a fast-growth, dynamic industry cluster.
  2. Help mature industries become more competitive.
  3. Provide the critical ingredients for innovative places.
  4. Catalyze community revitalization.
  5. Deliver a better-prepared workforce.

I review each of these roles here. [ p. 1]

The benefit of an all-hands-on-deck approach to confronting economic challenges and opportunities becomes readily apparent when considering the case of arts, culture, and design. Not traditionally present in the domain of economic development, this trio has many potential benefits for boosting the economy. They touch the economy at crucial leverage points, including innovation, entrepreneurship, employment, and revitalization. An arts, culture, and design strategy is not the only requirement for promoting prosperity. However, coupled with other strategies, the three can provide a competitive edge for cities and states.

Report
Mary Jo Watts
Community Development Investment Review
7
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Publisher Reference: 
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Research Abstract
Categories: 
Community Development
Creative Economies
Creative Industries
Creative Workforce
Economic Impact
December 1, 2014