Support the Arts - Support Strong Business Communities

With the EEE fundraiser only weeks away, it is important to remember why we need to support the arts in our neighborhoods. I want to share a very good article I came across at The Americans for the Arts blog, ARTSblog by Randy Cohen titled "The Top 10 Reasons to Support the Arts (from Arts Watch)."

Reason #10: "True Prosperity...The arts are fundamental to our humanity. They ennoble and inspire us—fostering creativity, goodness, and beauty...."

Reason #9: "Stronger communities…University of Pennsylvania researchers have demonstrated that a high concentration of the arts in a city leads to higher civic engagement, more social cohesion, higher child welfare, and lower poverty rates...."

Reason #8: "Health and well-being…nearly one-half of the nation’s healthcare institutions provide arts programming for patients, families, and even staff...." 

Reason #7: "21st Century workforce...creativity is among the top applied skills sought by employers. 72 percent of business leaders say creativity is of high importance when hiring. The biggest creativity indicator? A college arts degree...."

Reason #6: "Improved academic performance…longitudinal data of 25,000 students demonstrate that students with an education rich in the arts have higher GPAs and standardized test scores, lower drop-out rates, and even better attitudes about community service...."

Reason #5: "Arts in the schools = better SAT scores…students with four years of arts or music in high school average 100 points better on their SAT scores than students with one-half year or less...."

Reason #4: "Creative Industries…the creative industries are arts businesses that range from nonprofit museums, symphonies, and theaters to for-profit film, architecture, and advertising companies...."

Reason #3: "Arts are the cornerstone of tourism…arts travelers are ideal tourists—they stay longer and spend more...."

Reason #2:"Arts are good for local merchants…the typical arts attendee spends $27.79 per person, per event, not including the cost of admission on items such as meals, parking, shopping, and babysitters...."

Reason #1: " The arts are an Industry…arts organizations are responsible businesses, employers, and consumers.  They spend money locally, generate government revenue, and are a cornerstone of tourism and economic development. Nonprofit arts organizations generate $166 billion in economic activity annually, supporting 5.7 million jobs and generating nearly $30 billion in government revenue. Investment in the arts supports jobs, generates tax revenues, and advances our creativity-based economy...."