Conversations of the Valley

Join us on Tuesday, January 22 at the Lowell Inn for "The Arts Mean Business: Mobilizing an Arts and Cultural Development Strategy" with guest speaker, Ann Markusen, Director of Regional & Industrial Economics Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. Many cities and towns see promise in revitalization and growth through the arts and cultural industries. But the lack of connection among individual artists or among nonprofit, for-profit and school or church based arts activities makes organizing a coherent strategy difficult. In addition, public leadership and responsibility is spread among fragmented local governments and multiple agencies within them. Professor Markusen will talk about how cities and smaller towns across the country have pioneered new and effective ways of placing arts and culture center-stage in their economic development and downtown revitilization efforts.

 

Last Spring, the St. Croix Valley Community Foundation released a ground-breaking study that shows that non-profit arts, cultural and historical organizations generate $16.5 million in economic activity a year in the St. Croix Valley. More than half ($9.6 million) is spent by people who attend events, specifically for restaurants, parking, mileage, etc. The study shows that the arts stimulate business for local merchants and that patrons spend a comparable amount here to what people spend in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Overall, the study demonstrates that the arts are an important strategy for local economic development.

 

The cost of the lunch and program is $17 and should be paid in advance. To make a reservation, call the St. Croix Valley Community Foundation information and reservation line at 651-430-3830 and then submit a check, made payable to the St. Croix Valley Community Foundation, to SCVCF, PO Box 39, Hudson, WI 54016. Reservations by credit card can be made online at www.scvcf.org/news_calendar.htm using Pay Pal. Please note the $1 processing fee per person for registrations made using Pay Pal.