A Strong Arts Community contributes to your city or town finances through tourism dollars. Tourists come to your community for art fairs or performances, and they end up spending money in your stores and motels. The basic economic theory is the more money your municipality takes in from retail and lodging taxes, the less you should have to pay in residential taxes. That's the theory, anyway.
But a strong Arts Community doesn't happen all by itself. It needs support from artist participation and from the citizens who give their time and money to the local arts scene.
If you're interested in building the arts in your community, try these strategies and encourage others to do the same.
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- Visit local art shows. Strong attendance figures make local leaders sit up and take notice.
- Buy crafts made by Local Artists. Once in a while you can splurge on that one of a kind necklace or quilt.
- By visiting those places where events are held you support the historic home or museum and possibly learn about local history.
- You might learn something new, always a good thing, when the artist demonstrates their techniques.
- Attend a performance that you might not ordinarily take an interest in. But open your mind to the experience-it's a key component in creativity.
Finally, if you are in a position to do so either at your job or as a business owner, consider a sponsorship. It's a win-win situation for you because you get your name out in front of your audience and position yourself as somewhat of a philanthropist. The event or product you are sponsoring benefits from your cash infusion.
You can support your local artists by donating your time or by purchasing the artists' products, but your support is always needed.
Here's a report on how the Arts impact the economy of your community:
Americans for the Arts
Here's a report on how the Arts impact the economy of your community:
Americans for the Arts
