The arts belong to everyone, and need everyone's support to thrive.
America's great cities have strong economies,
quality schools, good transportation, thriving culture and diverse
arts communities. Currently, local government spends less than $5
per person per year in supporting the community's arts and culture activities
-- the lowest among all West Coast cities. Private support really makes the
difference in helping Portland's arts community thrive.
Ticket sales aren't enough. Even for sold out performances,
ticket sales only cover about half of the cost of producing a performance or
exhibit. Arts organizations everywhere rely on contributed income for approximately
half of their budgets.
The arts generate tourism. Each year, tens of thousands
of visitors attend our community's arts events, spending hundreds of dollars
each on hotels, restaurants, and retail.
The arts are the foundation of a creative economy. As our
region shifts from a manufacturing economy to a creative economy, we must
attract and retain talented and innovative workers. As the Regional Business
Plan recently noted, the arts play an important role "as an economic
driver, attractor of talent, and important ingredient in the quality of life."
The
arts enhance our lives. Imagine our community without
art. From concerts in the park to public art on the street, the arts make
our everyday lives more enjoyable, more interesting.
Local nonprofit arts organizations provide the majority of arts
education programs that remain in Oregon public schools. According
to Alan Greenspan, "The arts develop skills and habits of mind that
are important for workers in the new economy of ideas." Participation
in the arts is known to increase student performance in other academic
subjects, including math, reading, writing, and science.
In so many ways, the arts benefit us all. We invite you to give back
to the community's arts and culture organizations by making a contribution
to Work for Art today.
Kathryn Jackson,
Work for Art Manager
108 NW 9th Ave, Suite 300,
Portland, OR 97209-3318
503-823-5424 . kjackson@racc.org
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