With all the talk of Federal stimulus funds for "shovel ready" projects, should we be thinking about "stage ready" or "chisel ready" projects?
The New York Times reports on the efforts of national cultural leaders to point out the importance of the arts and culture within economic development. Like most people, the article focuses on the direct impact in terms of job creation in the arts: “We wanted to make sure arts were not left out of the recovery,” said Robert L. Lynch, president of Americans for the Arts, a national lobbying group. “The artist’s paycheck is every bit as important as the steelworker’s paycheck or the autoworker’s paycheck.”
The article, however, doesn't connect the indirect impact of cultural growth on the broader economic spectrum, such as the develoment of other "creative" jobs initiated by creative professionals in technology and science who are attracted to living in places that offer such cultural amenities. It also doesn't connect the dots between improved creative training for young people and their ability to develop 21st Century skills such as creativity and problem-solving to the workforce. But these connections are real.
The new Obama administration has shown a great deal more interest in supporting the arts, thereby raising hopes that cultural projects could benefit from the funding. Regardless of whether you believe in the effectiveness of government programs for economic growth, this money looks very much like it's going to be spent. The question is, is West Virginia building a list of "paintbrush ready" projects along with the shovel ready ones as part of our ask?
paintbrush ready projects
Trillium Performing Arts Collective, which has been providing arts education, professional development and public performance in the Greenbrier Valley and around the state for 26 years, has a creative collaboration with ALL Arts LLC to renovate the historic 1939 Lewis Theatre to serve as a community center for performing arts and film. The building, which is still in daily use, would be updated to become fully ADA compliant, safer, more energy efficient, and host a school along with a modernized performance and film hall. Trillium is ready and would welcome an opportunity to be part of the new administration's increased funding for the arts. The direct economic gains would first be in the construction, and long term with up to 14 part time arts related jobs, with enhanced cultural activity serving as a community benefit. This in turn encourages creative economy individuals and families to stay, or move to, the area. For more information, visit the website. Donations and pledges welocme, naming opportunities still available.
paint brush ready
So... say there is a project which is majorly shovel-ready and in need of stimulus support. How would a creative community go about planning for the stimulus dollars at this point?
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