Why Does Art Matter?
Direct and Indirect Economic Impact
Certainly Plains Art Museum contributes to the economic health of our region directly, with an annual budget of $1.6 million including more than $800,000 in payroll for 32 full and part-time Museum employees. But there’s also an indirect economic impact. Based on data from the “arts and economic prosperity calculator” developed by the national advocacy organization Americans for the Arts, the impact of the Museum’s operations, combined with the spending by its audiences, exceeds $3 million annually—In 2007 Plains Art Museum hosted a regional museum conference which drew more than 300 visitors to Fargo-Moorhead.
Creativity in the Workforce
The economic importance of a robust cultural institution like Plains Art Museum is far greater than the mere sum of its payrolls and the spending of audiences. It is becoming increasingly clear that the creativity it nurtures is an essential ingredient in a community’s prosperity. According to Alan M. Webber, founding editor of Fast Company magazine,
“Creativity has become the global gold standard for economic growth.”
Creativity guru Richard Florida asserts that the creative class now comprises more than 30% of the workforce. He states that “the choices these people make have already had a huge economic impact and in the future will determine which companies will prosper or go bankrupt, and even which cities will thrive or wither.”
Our Community is More Attractive
In recent years, Money Magazine has placed Fargo-Moorhead near the top of its list of America’s most livable cities. In the FM area, there are many ways to make a living, resulting in some of the nation’s lowest rates of unemployment and crime. But it takes more than good jobs and low crime to make a life. There is increasing evidence that those entering the workforce today also seek a quality of life that is found in a thriving community with good schools and vibrant cultural institutions.
“Physicians gauge the level of arts as a measurement the community. Once we present the sophistication of our arts culture, schools and medical community in Fargo-Moorhead they are more than willing to listen, visit and hopefully join the medical family.”
-Dick Reis, Manager of Physician Recruiting
Meritcare Health System
Art Makes You Smart
Investing in an institution that fosters creativity strengthens of the community today and also helps to prepare its future leaders and workers. According to a recent study by Americans for the Arts and the National Association of School Boards, young people who consistently participate in comprehensive, sequential, and rigorous arts programs are:
4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance
4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem
These factors, combined with a unique convergence of opportunities, have led the leaders of Plains Art Museum to adopt a bold plan which will secure the Museum’s capacity to serve our community today and realize its full promise for the future.
