During this time of budget cuts and reduction of programming, it’s important to remember that the arts can be a source of revenue and recognition for your community. Examples of jurisdictions that embrace the arts as part of their revitalization abound: Local artists can be enlisted to aid in your community’s beautification. Some cities like Denver, CO, are commissioning public art that produces renewable energy from local art collectives. Other cities are hosting art shows as a way to attract tourists and spur economic growth. When used strategically, the arts can help your community rebuild after the recession and attract new residents looking for a creative and vibrant new location to call home.

To give you some ideas for reviving the arts in your community, here are some helpful documents.  Also feel free to check back on the arts and culture topic tag in the Knowledge Network to find new arts updates from communities around the world.

• ICMA Offers Tips on Beautifying Your City This article provides steps that can be taken to beautify your city using both clean-up strategies and the addition of some public art.
• Suwanee SculpTour – Not Your Grandmother’s Bronze Eagle is a great article about the city of Suwanee, GA, and how it has integrated arts into the community through both public art and art shows. The article also includes components of the budgets and how the program does not directly cost  community members a cent.
• City of Airdrie, Alberta Canada  Unveils Second Year of Art in Motion Program is a joint initiative between the Airdrie Transit and Creative Airdrie’s  Art in Motion that showcases local artists by having bus passes designed by local artists throughout the year.
• Parker, CO, Designated ”Emerging Creative District” by the State Economic Development Commission This article shows how the state of Colorado is turning towns into art districts that showcase artists with public art, art festivals, and art walks. This in turn allows the communities to show off their unique features, organizations, and amenities to visitors. 
• Creative Placemaking is a past Sustainable Communities blog post about how art and culture programming is an important component people consider when choosing a place to settle down and raise a family. 

• Here is a past question from the Knowledge Network about consultant fees for creating a public art master plan. If you are considering a similar project you may find the response helpful.
• Stories for Change is a report that showcases cultural strategies by the Partners for Livable Communities. It includes nearly 50 best practices and tips for using the arts and cultural programming in diverse communities.
• Last year PM Magazine ran a series on the arts from January through April. The first article “The Arts Mean Business” illustrates how the arts can help revitalize the economy of local governments. The second article “Arts Mean Economic Revitalization” continues the theme from the first article and the third article “The Arts Are Definitely Good for Business” discusses the value that nonprofit arts and culture programming brings to local governments.  

Check out these links to start reintegrating the arts back into your community! If your community is already doing this successfully, share your strategies and results by posting a document or blog on the Knowledge Network to show off your local government’s accomplishment!

Best,

Robin Saywitz

ICMA Knowledge Network Intern

rsaywitz@icma.org