Art for Art's Sake? No, the Economy's

By Christopher Farrell

A vibrant arts community adds to the quality of life in a region. The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis/St. Paul, the Kimbell Art Museum in Ft. Worth, and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in Pittsburgh anchor arts in their region. But the artistic dividend is much more than an opportunity to view Tywla Tharp's choreography or stand in line for a Tennessee Williams revival. Artists are significant and vastly underestimated contributors and generators of local economic growth. The more creative types working in a regional economy, the better is its outlook for improved earnings, productivity, and competitiveness.