Benefits of Art and Culture Programs

1) Unites communities
Public art programs engage people of all ages and abilities to foster dialogue within communities and present art in innovative ways. These programs promote partnerships within the community and build bridges between people.

2) Enhances civic pride
Public art represents many things to many people but the bottom line is; how does it reflect the quality of life? In towns and cities where public art is established citizens feel pride in their community because it makes a statement about their unique heritage and identity.

3) Helps provide educational experiences
Public arts and cultural programs can be utilized to help fill the gap in cuts to educational funding. Student tours, art and performance art projects and student interaction in the process of creating art enriches the community at large.

4) Creates a tourist destination
The arts and culture industry leverages a significant amount of event-related spending by its audiences. Attendance at arts events generates related commerce for local businesses such as restaurants, parking garages, hotels and retail stores. By creating cultural hubs, nonprofit arts businesses help cities define themselves, draw tourists and attract investment.

5) Attracts businesses that employ the “creative class”
Creative workers and the industries that employ them locate in creative hubs, which become economically supercharged. These hubs become magnets for visitors, and the ripple effect of this builds vitality across all economic sectors.

6) Involve disenfranchised ethnic groups
Public art can also reflect the character of ethnic groups in your community. Programs that celebrate cultural heritage can bring all citizens together, building better understanding and a more culturally rich community.

7) Creates a fundraising source within the community
Public art and culture programs can be effectively used as fundraising tools that can unite the community, provide media coverage and help fund educational programs, art grants and new programs.

8) Provides an engine for economic development
Once struggling communities throughout the country are reinventing and rebuilding themselves by investing in art and culture - a proven catalyst for growth and economic prosperity.