I Say Let's Double Down on Arts & Culture - Activities that Do Create Jobs in the Local Economy
I can’t tell you how impressed I was at the Imagine
Chattanooga 20/20 Update I attended June 13 at the Bessie Smith Cultural
Center. The report was supportive of my
long-held belief that arts and cultural activities are, in fact, economic
drivers. While most all except that art
and culture contribute to the vitality of a community, the findings presented
from the Chattanooga Arts Index and the Economic and Prosperity Report
conclusively link Chattanooga-area arts and cultural activities to real
jobs.
Investing in the arts and in cultural activities seems to me
to be a wise use of our limited taxpayer dollars. The payback is multiple. First, there is indeed the multiplier impact
that was described at IC 20/20. In
Chattanooga, each person who attends an event spent an average of $32 beyond
the ticket price. Using the data
gathered in the two national efforts, it is estimated that over 3,000 jobs (full-time
equivalents) in the Chattanooga area are directly tied to the arts (visual and
performing), Of course, the second benefit is that Chattanooga residents
gain from the continual exposure to the arts. Finally, our vibrant art and cultural
community demonstrates that Hamilton County is a hip, sophisticated and very
cool place to work and live.
When I get to the General Assembly, I will carry the message
– art and cultural activities are closely allied with TOURISM. And, I think everyone agrees that tourism is
a major part of the Tennessee economy.
Jobs plus quality of life – this is a winner!!
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