Mayor Nutter announced last month, the city of Philadelphia is facing a projected $2 billion shortfall over the next five years. In order to fulfill an “unprecedented level of public engagement in the budget process,” a series of four community forums are being held.
Mayor Nutter has repeatedly shown his support – most notably through his appointment of Gary Steuer as the director of Philadelphia’s rejuvenated Office of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, and through increased funding for the city’s cultural organizations. Changes in our economy, however, are leading some to see the arts as a non-essential service, including media pundits and elected officials who may not understand the full impact of the arts in our community.
So once again, it is time for the arts community to rally, become involved and make their voices heard to preserve arts and culture funding. Below are just a few facts provided by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance that all but speak for themselves.
1. The arts have an economic impact in the region of $1.3 billion in total expenditures, generating over 19,000 jobs and nearly $160 million in state and local tax revenues. Every dollar invested in the sector returns $5 to local government.
2. 82% of the region’s residents attended an arts event last year. Overall visits to cultural organizations were well over 15 million – not including parks. According to a survey last year from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, 58% of people said what they liked most about the region was its numerous cultural and historical sites.
3. In a report released last month, the National Governor’s Association stated, “Arts and culture are important to state economies. Arts and culture-related industries, also known as “creative industries,” provide direct economic benefits to states and communities: They create jobs, attract investments, generate tax revenues, and stimulate local economies through tourism and consumer purchases.”
4. An investment in the arts is an investment in the city of Philadelphia. Arts and culture organizations have played a key role in community building and redevelopment, along with increased interest in the city from tourists and new residents. Cutting funding towards our “creative economy” would be more costly in the future, and contrary to Mayor Nutter’s rejuvenation of the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy.
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