Last Thursday evening, my wife Carol and I had the pleasure of hosting a fundraiser for local mixed media art gallery, SCENE Metrospace. Over fifty friends, neighbors and patrons of the arts, attended this event, during which some of the art currently on exhibit at SCENE, was on display in our home (would that it could’ve stayed there!). I am pleased to share that this event raised more than $3,500 towards supporting this important community asset.

Trends – arts and the economy

I have blogged in the past and will, no doubt, continue to write about the value of arts and culture to the local community. Not only do they enrich our environment but they contribute significantly to the local economy. In 2005, a study by the Americans for the Arts revealed that, the arts produce a whopping $166.2 billion in economic activity annually (nationally), which includes nearly $30 billion in revenue to local, state and federal government. All three levels of government collectively, spend approximately $4 billion annually to support arts and culture with a 7:1 return on investment.

The study also details the “ripple” effect of arts on the economy by measuring “events-related” spending on items such as parking, dining and other types of commerce benefiting local merchants. Since the first study of this kind in 1992, the nation’s arts and culture industry has continued to expand at a rate greater than the rate of inflation. And because arts and cultural organizations are strongly rooted in their communities, they produce economic benefits that remain local. (To learn more about the study findings, please view the PowerPoint presentation below.)

The importance of venues like SCENE Metrospace

One of the great things about SCENE and other similar venues, is that it offers local artists the opportunity to showcase their work. In addition to manifesting my interest in the arts, I wanted to support SCENE because of its association with East Lansing City government. We at the city recognize the cultural and economic value of a flourishing arts industry and are working with partnering organizations to develop a comprehensive arts and cultural plan. East Lansing already has so much to offer and enhancing arts and cultural offerings will only add to the quality of life we enjoy.

If you haven’t already, please take an hour or two to visit the latest exhibit entitled “Bleeding Green” which will be featured at (SCENE) Metrospace from Jan. 16 to March 1st. Gallery hours are Thursday from 2-5 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 2-6 p.m. and Sunday from noon-4 p.m. If you are interested in making contribution to SCENE please contact Tim Lane at 319-6832.

In the meantime, thanks in advance for your patronage and support!

View Arts & Economic Prosperity PowerPoint Presentation