Earlier this month, NINE dot ARTS CEO Martha Weidmann spoke alongside a handful of other Denver executives at the Colorado Arts Caucus about Arts and the Economy– a topic we get especially excited to talk about!
The Colorado Arts Caucus convenes three to four times each year with the hopes of inspiring arts advocacy by connecting state legislators to local art enthusiasts. We were honored to be part of this month’s session to be able to advocate for artists and share the incredible impact they have in our communities.
Watch this video to get a closer look at the day.
Here are a few of our favorite excerpts from Martha:
“Art is important because it tells the story of humanity–it is the story of our civilization.”
Art has also made undeniable cultural and economic contributions in Denver (and other cities across the nation, for that matter). The Colorado Business Committee for the Arts valued Denver arts’ total economic activity at $1.9 billion in 2017, a record year for the Mile High City.
We’ve seen an increase in the use of arts in the workplace, with anecdotal evidence that it increases productivity, employee engagement and creativity, while reducing stress and encouraging interaction and dialogue. In the hospitality industry, art helps create destinations, enhancing a hotel’s brand image and increasing its reach.
Take Denver’s Dairy Block, for example. This mixed-use development features over 700 pieces of art that create intrigue and surprises for guests around each corner (not to mention endless Instagrammable moments).
“It’s very important that we provide opportunities for work and income generation for people who are graduating with art degrees.”
A 2018 Bankrate study reported that recent art majors are experiencing a 9.1 percent unemployment rate, far surpassing the national average of 2.9 percent.
We support hundreds of Colorado artists every year, and with our team recently growing to 22 strong, we are incredibly proud to contribute to Denver’s economy by supporting and employing people with art backgrounds.
“I think art is important because it sparks hope. And it tells the story of something that we can’t even touch when we think about numbers.”
While there is evidence of art contributing to the economic growth of cities, it also has an intangible quality that contributes to the life force of communities. So perhaps the question isn’t, “How does art influence our economy?” But really, “Where would we be without it?”
To learn more about the Colorado Arts Caucus, visit artsofcolorado.org.