[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 23411-23412]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BRAD MILLER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 2004

  Mr. MILLER of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, throughout the country 
there has been a rebirth of the arts, and the importance of the arts to 
economic development and revitalization in our communities deserves to 
be recognized. Cultural facilities and events enhance property values, 
tax resources and overall profitability for our cities and towns. In 
doing so, the arts have become a direct contributor to reviving many of 
our urban and rural areas. From major metropolitan areas to small 
towns, the arts have proven to be sound economic investments. I value 
the contributions made by the arts and believe that Congress has a 
responsibility to support the arts and all cultural activities.
  Nationally, the arts have had a profound effect on community 
development but more specifically, have assisted in the economic growth 
in my home state of North Carolina. I am pleased to present an article 
by Mr. Lawrence J. Wheeler, Director of the North Carolina Museum of 
Art, that brings attention to the development and economic effect that 
the arts have had in North Carolina. In his editorial entitled

[[Page 23412]]

``For Development, Draw on N.C.'s Arts,'' which appeared in the News & 
Observer earlier this year, Mr. Wheeler provides insight into the 
positive influence that the arts have had upon communities in North 
Carolina. Mr. Wheeler rightfully calls on the arts to be used as full 
partners in future economic planning, and I believe that Congress and 
state governments should heed this advice.

        [Editorial-Opinion--the News & Observer, April 27, 2004]

                  For Development, Draw on N.C.'s Arts

       Twenty years ago, the idea of using art as a tool for 
     community development would have been dismissed as a 
     meddlesome intrusion by self-interested arts advocates. But 
     as more and more jobs are being outsourced and downtown areas 
     are becoming ghost towns, economic developers are viewing 
     vibrant urban centers as critical to attracting workers, 
     placing the arts at the center of the debate on community 
     development.
       Art has become a focal point for community leaders, 
     economic development specialists and the citizens themselves. 
     They look to the arts for inspiration, aesthetics and design, 
     leadership and creativity, which can reshape our communities 
     and make them vital, livable and relevant in the face of the 
     economic changes of our time.
       Richard Florida, author of the highly touted community 
     development treatise, ``The Rise of the Creative Class,'' 
     says that if the goal is to attract a creative class of 
     entrepreneurs and workers, then cities must provide, in 
     addition to a tolerant social environment, diverse social and 
     cultural enhancements, like great parks, art, music and 
     lively community main streets. Art and design vitality are 
     emphasized as a key factor that has enabled economic 
     progress.
       For decades, coalitions of arts organizations have 
     undertaken economic impact studies to demonstrate their 
     collective financial contribution to local, regional, and 
     state economies, receiving scant attention from policymakers 
     and political leaders. A recent study conducted by Americans 
     for the Arts found the arts industry generates $134 billion 
     in economic activity every year. A new report by Arts North 
     Carolina shows that the state's arts industry produces nearly 
     $1 billion in financial impact.
       Clearly it is time to take a closer look at the measurable 
     financial value of the arts.
       The use of architecture in recent art museum design 
     illustrates the impact of the arts on tourism and community 
     image. Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum of Art in Bilbao, 
     Spain, Santiago Calatrava's soaring structure for the 
     Milwaukee Museum of Art, and the newly celebrated Fort Worth 
     Museum of Modern Art by Tadao Ando have brought not only 
     extraordinary international attention, but also tourist 
     dollars to these cities.
       Here in North Carolina, we are developing cultural 
     landmarks as well, such as Wilmington's new Cameron Art 
     Museum, designed by the renowned architect Charles Gwathmey. 
     The success of this project has considerably boosted the 
     cultural and civic energy of the city.
       The Research Triangle region has invested more than $250 
     million in its arts and museums infrastructure in recent 
     years, with plans to invest nearly $150 million more in 
     cultural facilities in Durham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh. The 
     N.C. Museum of Art in Raleigh has commissioned New York-based 
     architect Thomas Phifer to create plans for its expansion.
       Several other communities, including Charlotte, Asheville 
     and the Piedmont Triad, are planning major investments in 
     cultural facilities and the arts programs to attract jobs, 
     visitors and dollars. Cities, large and small, are 
     recognizing that cultural investments make economic sense.
       As the arts take center stage in economic growth, 
     metropolitan regions have the opportunity to put their 
     cultural strengths to work. Many regions are investing in 
     industry clusters--concentrations of businesses that are 
     linked to each other through their suppliers and producers. 
     There are abundant examples of real success stories when the 
     cultural resources of a region become full partners in 
     shaping economic development strategies. Asheville is 
     developing a prosperous industry cluster around its regional 
     crafts heritage. Handmade in America leads a coalition of 
     regional organizations that promote the making and sale of 
     crafts, as well as tourism to artisans' studios, related 
     museums, historic inns and sites and the region's magnificent 
     natural resources.
       North Carolina has a rich history of providing cultural 
     opportunities to its people. The first state-supported 
     symphony orchestra, the first state-funded art collection and 
     the first cabinet-level Department of Cultural Resources were 
     all created here, along with an extraordinary network of 93 
     community-based arts councils throughout the State. These are 
     superb sources to identify leaders who can be invaluable in 
     shaping the conversations and agendas for economic 
     development in our communities.
       Our State's struggle with economic change will require a 
     rearranging of investment priorities and significant private 
     and public support. Only when the arts are used as full 
     partners in planning will North Carolina see sustainable 
     economies, lively communities and an enriched quality of life 
     for everyone.

                          ____________________