Arts and Culture Help Establish Community Roots
Arts-based development embraces more than economic benefits; the arts define us and our culture and anchor us to one another
For the past two months, I have quoted the benefits of arts-based community development for rural communities. I used statistics describing the economic benefits of art and other cultural entertainment to help communities grow and prosper. You can find these statistics at www.artsusa.org.
Arts for America published the economic study to help promote communities and the benefits they can obtain by engaging people in the arts. I have received email from all over the country telling me how communities and regions are using arts and cultural awareness to everyone’s economic benefit.
Art in any form is a manifestation of an area’s culture. It is more than an economic tool. We hear so much about the importance of economic development that we often lose sight of the real reasons we exist. Our history and culture derives from everything around us. Without using the lessons of the past to build a future, what would be the point?
If we had no arts or humanities, why should we care? We work so hard to survive in rural areas. We must ask ourselves the most fundamental question of all, why? I would like to think it is because of what rural culture represents. That’s why we work as hard as we do keeping our small rural communities viable.
Small rural communities have something unique to offer in the arts. We need to be able to reach out to future generations in a way that will allow a deep sense of pride to surface. This pride will stay with our youth as they educate and leave our small rural areas.
After seeing other places and absorbing different ways of doing things, these youth should be encouraged to return to their home and bring that knowledge back. Without any arts or cultural roots to fasten to, why would anyone want to return or raise a family? This is what makes arts-based development a crucial segment of community development overall.
Contact: Michael L. Holton, michaellh@cfra.org or 402.687.2103 x 1020 for more information on rural community revitalization.
For the past two months, I have quoted the benefits of arts-based community development for rural communities. I used statistics describing the economic benefits of art and other cultural entertainment to help communities grow and prosper. You can find these statistics at www.artsusa.org.
Arts for America published the economic study to help promote communities and the benefits they can obtain by engaging people in the arts. I have received email from all over the country telling me how communities and regions are using arts and cultural awareness to everyone’s economic benefit.
Art in any form is a manifestation of an area’s culture. It is more than an economic tool. We hear so much about the importance of economic development that we often lose sight of the real reasons we exist. Our history and culture derives from everything around us. Without using the lessons of the past to build a future, what would be the point?
If we had no arts or humanities, why should we care? We work so hard to survive in rural areas. We must ask ourselves the most fundamental question of all, why? I would like to think it is because of what rural culture represents. That’s why we work as hard as we do keeping our small rural communities viable.
Small rural communities have something unique to offer in the arts. We need to be able to reach out to future generations in a way that will allow a deep sense of pride to surface. This pride will stay with our youth as they educate and leave our small rural areas.
After seeing other places and absorbing different ways of doing things, these youth should be encouraged to return to their home and bring that knowledge back. Without any arts or cultural roots to fasten to, why would anyone want to return or raise a family? This is what makes arts-based development a crucial segment of community development overall.
Contact: Michael L. Holton, michaellh@cfra.org or 402.687.2103 x 1020 for more information on rural community revitalization.
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Arts and Culture : public art in low economic neighborhoods
Do you have any examples of public art peices and/ or programs for rural, lower economic, and/ or minority neighborhoods? I would like an easy way to survey what has/ is being done elsewhere and tailor something unique for my community. I have been putting together some ideas for integrating art into the neighborhoods, and giving ownership to the residents, but would like to also use examples to show the city and the public how it can be successful by looking to other models.\
Thanks!
Selena
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