|
Arts Advocacy
The Arts as an Economic
Tool
Cities across the U.S. have started to include arts and culture
as the catalyst for downtown revitalization plans. Making
their city centers walkable, pedestrian-friendly lures for
music, theater, dance and the visual arts. The arts are also
a significant draw for tourists to Grand Rapids. Visitors
spend money in connection with their attendance at arts events,
dining in restaurants, shopping, parking and rooming costs.
The Arts as an Educational
Tool
Arts education can be the building block of a person’s
cognitive development. It helps build academic skills, increase
academic performance, improves behavior, reaches at-risk kids
and lowers the rate of dropouts in our schools. It is an effective
tool in helping to improve self-esteem and builds the creative
skills necessary to be successful in the workforce of the
new century.
The Arts as an Integral
Piece of our Society
The basic building blocks of the arts is based on open expression,
cultural diversity and understanding of that which is different.
The arts can help to build bridges and can contribute towards
cross-cultural understanding, strengthen the association between
identity and citizenship, and enhance the quality of life.
Arts Advocacy Through Community
Involvement
Our biggest commitment to the arts is to give it a voice within
our community. To that end we have become involved in our
neighborhood association, the Monroe North Business Association,
we have given a voice to the arts by participating in the
Mayor’s New Economic Task Force, We are involved with
the Dwelling Place and the Avenue of the Arts on south Division.
We give a voice to the arts in the efforts of downtown re-development
through the Downtown Development Authority’s – Arts
and Entertainment Committee.
It is through these efforts that we are able to ensure that
the arts remain on the forefront of the minds of those who
will shape our community for the future.
|
