Why Support the Arts?
“The arts make communities vibrant, welcoming, and desirable. Cultural places and events are magnetic, attracting not only artists but also families, travelers, and businesses. Creative placemaking—the gravitational effect of culture on neighborhoods—positively impacts local economies and quality of life. It creates jobs and stimulates commercial traffic, all of which leverage neighborhood revitalization, attract diverse populations, and strengthen communities. Capitalizing on these effects of creative placemaking requires strong public-sector support.” – National Association of State Arts Agencies
Decades of research demonstrate that a dynamic arts and culture sector:
Enhances quality of life: Access to the arts ensures opportunities for cultural experiences, entertainment, personal growth, learning, and creative expression.
Promotes cultural diversity: The arts provide a platform to be welcoming and inclusive and to showcase diversity within our community, encouraging residents to appreciate different cultures and develop greater understanding.
Boosts the local economy: Investment in the arts brings economic benefits, including the creation of jobs, increased tourism, and increased revenue for local businesses and the city.
Attracts and retains talent: A strong arts and culture scene is an important factor in attracting and retaining talented workers, particularly in Boulder's innovation economy, where creativity is highly valued. A 2017 study by the Knight Foundation found that 69% of millennials consider a city's arts and culture scene when deciding where to live.
Fosters community building: Arts events and performances bring people together, fostering a sense of community, building social cohesion, and making our city more welcoming to all.
Preserves cultural heritage: Investment in the arts is a way to preserve the unique cultures within our community, ensuring that traditions and values are celebrated and passed down to future generations.
Supports the growth and well-being of our children: Students engaged in arts learning have higher GPAs, standardized test scores, and college-going rates as well as lower drop-out rates. These academic benefits are reaped by students across all socio-economic strata. By providing opportunities for creative expression and learning, the arts help ensure that our children have the tools they need to succeed and thrive.
Promotes safety in public places: Installations, performances, and events make public spaces safer and more aesthetically pleasing, and they attract more people, increasing foot traffic and creating “eyes on the street.” Arts activations create positive associations with public spaces, making them more inviting.
Boosts mental health and well-being: The arts have a positive impact on mental health and well-being, providing opportunities for self-expression and creativity that improve residents' overall health and happiness.
Resources:
Reasons to Support the Arts from Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading arts advocacy organization: Why investment in artists, creative workers, and arts organizations is vital to the nation and to local communities.
Why Should Government Support the Arts? This paper from the National Association of State Arts Agencies includes extensive research citations and makes a compelling case for how investment in the arts provides numerous economic, educational, health, and civic benefits.