Chris Dwyer of RMC Research, a national company based in Portsmouth, originally shared these thoughts in a blog entry for the Americans for the Arts. Chris has conducted research for the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities, the Americans for the Arts, and the American Planning Association.    

It can be especially difficult to convey the impact of public art to a community.  Why is public art important? What effect is public art likely to have on citizens and the community? How do you measure the outcomes of public art?  I've been thinking about this issue lately as I try to put into words why I think public art is important in our community.

Several years ago I heard Richard Florida describe public art in terms of community image when making a point about vital cities, i.e. those that attract entrepreneurs and visitors and earn the loyalty of their residents.  The idea of assessing impact through the eyes of strangers intrigues me:   What does a collection of public art convey to those who don't know the city?....read more   photo:German duo Herakut complete a mural for 'Street aka Museum'.

Chamber Executive Provides Written Testimony Against Eliminating Funding for the Arts

By J. Christopher Williams, President & CEO of the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce  

 

His excerpted testimony:

 

On behalf of the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce and its hundreds of business members across southern New Hampshire, I am writing to register the Chamber's strong opposition to House Bill 1274. As introduced, this bill would eliminate the Department of Cultural Resources, thereby effectively sending a clear message that the State of New Hampshire does not care to promote a critical element of our state's overall economic development.

 

Yes, this issue is indeed about economic development. Businesses considering a relocation or expansion into New Hampshire want to know that our State places a high value on our Quality Of Life, and a state's inclusion of arts & culture in its strategic plan is a strong sign that a state does truly care about its quality of life for its residents.

 

New Hampshire is fortunate to have a vibrant arts community, as evidenced by a 2008 study entitled, "Creative Crossroads," which indicated that the state's arts & culture are among the fastest growing sectors of our general economy. This growth is partially made possible by the existence of the NH Department of Cultural Resources, which serves as a convener of all initiatives and organizations throughout New Hampshire that support our various arts-related entities and projects.                

...read more

New England Foundation for the Arts Releases Report on Cultural Nonprofit Impact

New England nonprofit arts and cultural organizations support more than 53,000 full- and part-time jobs, according to a recent report by NEFA titled "New England's Creative Economy: Nonprofit Sector Impact." Arts and cultural nonprofits are one segment of New England's creative economy. The other two are creative businesses and creative workers. The NEFA study focused only on the nonprofit sector.

"It's really about quality of place," said Dee Schneidman, research manager for the NEFA, which released the report. "Arts and cultural nonprofits are particularly important in New England because they contribute to their communities economically, and they also contribute to quality of life."    

National Endowment for the Arts Announces New Research on the Value Added by Cultural Industries

Cultural industries are economic powerhouses and states have the data to prove it, according to a new analysis from the NEA. This is the latest in a series of NEA research notes to look at different ways to assign value to the arts.  The NEA research note is available for download. 

Arts and Culture Data for Planning and Economic Development Professionals

Funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, RMC Research Corporation examined the perspectives of planning and economic development professionals on the utility of different types of arts and cultural data.   Findings about collecting and presenting cultural data more effectively appear in this report.  

Americans for the Arts Creative Industries Report

Creative Industries: Business & Employment in the Arts reports continue to offer a research-based approach to understanding the scope and importance of the arts to the nation's economy. While most economic impact studies of the arts have focused on the nonprofit sector (such as our own studies), is the first national study that encompasses both the nonprofit and for-profit arts industries. 

Click here to view the reports. 

Artspace's mission is to create, foster, and preserve affordable space for artists and arts organizations. This mission is pursued through development projects, asset management activities, consulting services, and community-building activities that serve artists and arts organizations of all disciplines, cultures, and economic circumstances. By creating this space,

New England Foundation for the Arts

NEFA strengthens and supports the creative sector not only as a grantmaker, but also by providing tools and information which build the intellectual assets of the cultural community.  NEFA's research and knowledge-sharing inform cultural decision-making and program development, and ultimately, enhance public understanding of how the arts contribute to the vitality of

communities.   

Berkshire Creative [MA]

The mission of Berkshire Creative is to stimulate new job growth and economic opportunity in the region by sparking innovative collaborations between artists, designers, cultural institutions and businesses. 

Arts abound in Nashua's downtown and Millyard during ArtWalk 2012

Art lovers are in for a treat on September 29 and 30, when City Arts Nashua presents ArtWalk Nashua 2012, the city's premier cultural event. ArtWalk runs from noon to 5 pm on Saturday, September 29, and noon to 4 pm on Sunday, September 30.  

ArtWalk features 50 area artists and entertainers in over 30 galleries, studios, and other creative downtown venues. All ArtWalk events are free and open to the public, including exhibits, entertainment, and workshops.     

Click here for a map of venues and parking and the schedule of events.

Downtown becomes a gallery

Members of the Nashua Area Artists' Association will display their works at their new home, the Hunt Memorial Building (left). A number of artists will open their studios in the Picker Building and Lake Street 55 Studios, and independent artists will have displays at Indian Head Plaza.

Click here for more information on the various happenings during ArtWalk.  

City Arts Nashua is made up of visual and performing artists, writers, business leaders, and arts consumers committed to promoting Greater Nashua's artistic and cultural community. City Arts Nashua's mission is to promote Greater Nashua's artistic and cultural community, including visual arts, theater arts, music, and writing, with the goal of increasing awareness and building an expanded audience. City Arts Nashua's objective is to act as a catalyst to help the arts thrive and to promote cooperation, coordination, and common ground for artists, arts organizations, and audiences.

NH Developer Designs Creative Economy Spaces

The recently refurbished Newmarket Mills hosted the first Pop-Up Art Gallery in conjunction with the New Hampshire Art Association.  

According to developer Eric Chinburg, "Part of our vision for creating a thriving and vibrant mixed-use community is to display the works of local artists and to invite the public into our shared "living room" spaces". The gallery space is available for shows with an idea to collaborate with local arts groups and with the University of New Hampshire. The Newmarket Mills are now home to over 150 residents living in modern apartments and more than 30 businesses including: a restaurant, ice cream shop, barbershop and hair salon, upholstery, athletic shoes, custom bikes, messenger bags and a number of local artists. For more information about our tenants and the Mill lifestyle, please stop on by at 55 Main Street in Newmarket or Please contact Jen Chinburg to inquire about the public art spaces.

 

In Case You Missed It... 

Where Creativity Happens  

NHBCA Chairman Barry Brensinger delivered remarks at the annual Business in the Arts Awards. He focused on the theme that creativity is all around us, that sometimes we go out to find it and sometimes it finds us. He said:

"Creativity happens everywhere and anywhere in New Hampshire thanks to the ingenuity of those organizations, artists, actors, writers, musicians, and patrons who recognize that just as a blank page can be a canvas and any bare space a stage, so too can any place become a home for art and a celebration of community and life."

Click here to read his entire remarks...