The Artistic Economy Revisited

The Artistic Economy REVISITED
The Economic and Social Benefits of Arts & Culture in the Community

Join us for a panel discussion focusing on business and the arts in Boulder! The evening will be filled with interesting conversations and the chance to meet advocates of the arts and business from industries throughout Boulder. A selection of food trucks and beer will be available for purchase.

Panel Discussion:  5:00pm – 6:15pm
Join us for a panel discussion followed by a question and answer session on the following topics:

• The social and economic benefits of arts & culture
• Efforts in other parts of the state (and country) to incorporate art in the community
• The role of arts and culture in attracting and retaining talent needed to sustain Boulder’s creative economy
• Challenges as a developer to support and incorporate arts and address issues of affordability and livability in Boulder
• Efforts to establish a NoBo Arts District in north Boulder

Anna Salim, Event Director, Downtown Business Improvement District and former chair of the Boulder Arts Commission (Panel Moderator)
Deborah Malden, Arts Liaison & Advisor, Boulder Chamber
Matthew Chasansky, Manager of the Office of Arts & Culture, City of Boulder
Bill Obermeier, Executive Director, The Dairy ARTS Center
Andy Allison, Co-Developer of a proposed affordable housing and arts space at the Bus Stop in North Boulder

Networking Reception: 6:15pm – 7:00pm

Thank you to the sponsors of this event: Urban Land Institute, Boulder Food Park, and History of Visual Arts Boulder.



Background on Arts and Culture in Boulder
In early 2014 a diverse group of arts and civic leaders and developers convened at The Armory building in North Boulder to discuss the role of arts and culture in building an economically vibrant and healthy city as well as challenges to the sustainability of Boulder’s artist community. Since then, it has become evident that arts and culture are an ascending priority in Boulder. In November 2014 voters overwhelmingly approved a three-year sales tax to support increased investment in range of community assets including arts and cultural facilities and public art.

This public funding has made possible The Dairy ARTS Center renovation, which is nearing completion, the Museum of Boulder building renovation, which is in progress, and new investment in public art. In 2015, the City launched a comprehensive planning process culminating in the adoption of the 9-year Community Cultural Plan, which launched in January 2016. The Plan identifies increased public investment in arts and culture and strategies for both public and private sector engagement to achieve the community’s vision:     
 
“Together, we will craft Boulder’s social, physical and cultural environment to include creativity as an essential ingredient for the well being, prosperity and joy of everyone in the community.”
 
With all of this momentum, challenges relating to affordability and livability in Boulder remain and the lack of assured future city funding levels and private sector support have the potential to compromise Boulder’s position as a magnet for artists and other creative professionals.