Despite unprecedented deficits and pending budget cuts, (or, more likely, because of them) state legislatures, local municipalities and government organizations are taking note of the social and financial benefits associated with a community’s strong creative economy. A new study released by the Colorado Council on the Arts points to the importance of Colorado’s creative industries; which, as the state’s 5th largest employment sector, provides more jobs than defense, security, agribusiness, food processing and technology…
The report, “Colorado: State-of-the-Art, Key Findings from The State of Colorado’s Creative Economy,” mirrors the attitudes of state lawmakers who recently announced the 2010 introduction of three bills intended to further spur growth in this area.
Similarly, this online article, which references the positive community benefits associated with strong cultural arts programming in Tennessee, highlights recently-proposed legislation that if passed will benefit artists and arts organizations in the Greater Knoxville area.
In Rhode Island where, “2,000 small businesses in the arts employ 12,000 people,” the state’s Lt. Governor has initiated a month-long campaign that implores citizens “buy local” to support and grow their creative economy.
