Claudia Jacobs

Why Philanthropy Should Steam Ahead and Support the Creative Economy (from The pARTnership Movement)

Posted by Claudia Jacobs, Jun 07, 2013 4 comments


Claudia Jacobs

Claudia Jacobs Claudia Jacobs

When I was a college student in the 60s we thought ourselves intellectual, political and even somewhat evolved. A widely acknowledged putdown of college athletes oft heard was that their course load included Basket Weaving 101. That statement was not only insensitive to athletes; it also inadvertently reflected an additional put down of the arts. And that attitude remains and is reflected in how the arts are viewed today. "In the public schools, arts are all too often the first programs to be cut and the last to be reinstated," says James Grace, executive director of the Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston.

Today we need to update that thinking. If we are to actively enrich our communities, arts should not be a stepchild of science, technology, engineering or math (STEM). In New England alone, over 53,000 people are employed in the "creative economy" and that sector, if it were considered in the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS), which it is not, would rank just below the data and information sector and just ahead of the truck transportation sector, according to 2009 statistics compiled by the New England Foundation for the Arts. The 18,026 New England arts organizations supply the economy with nearly $3.7 billion--so why does STEM, an acronym that excludes the arts, seem to be on the tip of everyone's tongue? Yes, there are major reasons why the U.S. needs to be focused on producing adults with skills in these areas, but why not include the arts and go from STEM to STEAM?

Philanthropies are more and more focused on impact, grantee accountability, metrics and getting results. Sound good? Not so fast. While these evaluation measures have importance, danger could be lurking. For the metric-merry this can have the potential of giving stepchild status to the arts as the less easily measured are most vulnerable to being cut from the roster. Some argue that the increased frenzy with metrics may indeed play a role in stifling innovation.

"And arts curricula in schools," says Grace, "have broad proven benefits that might not appear to be related to academics but are." He says that "building the muscles of creativity enhances students' engagement and development in all aspects of their education. The discipline and process of moving from an idea to a creative result is a skill that is translated whether your life's work is about computers, architecture, nursing or music. What company doesn't want engaged creative and innovative thinkers and disciplined workers? How many will survive the global environment without them?" Grace also contends that when arts programs were cut out of the curriculum in schools, it contributed to a lost generation of arts patrons and that has economic impact that is still being felt across sectors.

In addition, arts can have a magnetism that engages even the most recalcitrant students, some of whom might fear or be turned off by science, technology and math. Yet if their brains have been exercised in the arts, these same students might avoid getting turned off to education writ large. If we don't lose these students along the way, they may get through school, mature and return to those other areas later in their educational or professional careers because they haven't opted out, because they have a means of expression.

Imagine a society where the arts are a core component, not considered peripheral to the educational equation. Art is open to all - the working poor, women, persons with disabilities - so it is a social justice strategy and something where diversity has always been valued. Arts reflect culture and provide important lifelong tools.

And proof that philanthropies and individual donors may be ignoring the grass roots and important educational benefits within community organizations and schools, is that the majority of philanthropic dollars that are directed to the arts are going to the largest arts organizations - symphonies, museums, and theaters - leaving a smaller pool for funding schools and community organizations who employ the arts in neighborhood development strategies. Philanthropy can and should view the arts as a way to accomplish its wider mission. Broadening and expanding the vision about how we categorize the arts and putting them front and center on the necessary and core list, not the optional list, is an important first step.

Philanthropic dollars directed to the arts can leverage economic and neighborhood development. Some in the private sector have already come to this conclusion and reaped great return on that investment. Arts revitalize communities and strengthens the economy, improves safety, and creates vibrant neighborhoods.

And if trends in philanthropy, akin to trends in politics, are influenced by public opinion, a survey conducted by the Boston Foundation revealed that 78% of respondents said they wanted to live in communities in which corporations and local businesses actively support arts and cultural organizations.*

So, let's think of the little engine that could--and get on the STEAM engine.

(This post, originally published on HuffingtonPost.org, is one in a weekly series highlighting The pARTnership Movement, Americans for the Arts’ campaign to reach business leaders with the message that partnering with the arts can build their competitive advantage. Visit our website to find out how both businesses and local arts agencies can get involved!)

4 responses for Why Philanthropy Should Steam Ahead and Support the Creative Economy (from The pARTnership Movement)

Comments

June 08, 2013 at 6:33 am

Actually Ms. Jacobs, according to the "Theory of Iceality of Environmental Arts" ['Theory of Iceality' on Environmental Arts: which is a practical study on the aesthetics of the relationship between Humans and their Environment through Arts and Culture, ultimately promoting an effective sustainable global Culture of Peace between all Living Things (Human, Animal and Plant Kingdoms)] , the Arts and Culture is the leader in the fields of science, technology, humanities and social change.

For the past 25 years the Theory on Environmental Arts (ICEALITY*) has been enthusiastically embraced by the United Nations by 1990 and was featured in many of their World Conferences;
The result of this major global public promotion at the United Nations level, is that the Theory of Iceality on Environmental Arts is now considered as the cornerstone of the modern sustainable global Environmental Art Movement and this concept is now replicated by urban designers, architects and artists throughout the World.

CLEVELAND ARTS and CULTURE BACKGROUND CHECK by Christa Herbert:
-- The Environmental Arts Movement was professionally organized by the The International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA) in 1987.
-- Environmental Art is the true indigenous art form of the greater Cleveland, Ohio area.
-- The ARK in Berea is the global home to the Environmental Art Movement.
-- David Jakupca is the recognized leader and the Spiritual Father of the Environmental Art Movement.
-- The 'Theory of Iceality on Environmental Arts' is now considered as the cornerstone of the modern sustainable global Environmental Art Movement and the concept is now replicated by urban designers, architects and artists throughout the World.
-- In 1993 in Vienna, Austria at the World Conference on Human Rights, ICEA, with the approval of U.S. Delegates, Jimmy Carter and Geraldine Ferraro, began recycling and promoting United Nations' World Conferences until 2007..
-- Through this partnership with the United Nations, ICEA has influenced a global audience of literally billions of people.
-- Environmental Art was used by the National Endowment for the Arts as part of their 1997 American Canvas Project that is currently used in all 50 States.
-- In 2000, David and Renate Jakupca were appointed American Cultural Ambassadors representing the US at EXPO2000, The Worlds Fair held in Hanover, Germany.
-- Environmental Art is the number one Art Movement in Cleveland, Ohio
-- Environmental Art is the number one Art Movement in America.
-- Environmental Art is the number one Art Movement Worldwide.

Google search for more information: iceality

Practical Application Link:
Building the National Coast-to-Coast 'Great American Peace Trail' http://bereabuzz.blogspot.com/2013/02/building-national-coast-to-coast-g...

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Amy Peterson says
June 08, 2013 at 8:11 pm

As an educator, I would like to thank you for posting your STEAM talk at the TEDx conference, Janice! All your points hit the nail on the head. It is important to share information about The Reuse Alliance, a national nonprofit working to increase public awareness of reuse by educating individuals & organizations about the social, environmental and economic benefits of reuse. The Creative Reuse Association, a project of Reuse Alliance, is a community of creative reuse centers and upcyclers from around the world.
To summarize the bare-bones of such a center, “to locate, collect and distribute unwanted, donated by-products, overruns, rejects and discontinued items from local business and manufacturers.” It is nothing “new” – but needs to be coordinated on a national basis. Every child, artist and community member should have access to these open-ended, hands-on, CREATIVE materials. And, centers DO have a triple bottom line for their economic, environmental and social benefits! Thank you.

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Janice says
June 08, 2013 at 12:43 pm

I spoke about STEAM at our local TEDx conference. I invite others to view the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFpMidNQFLw

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Amy Peterson says
June 08, 2013 at 8:02 pm

As an educator, I would like to thank you for posting your STEAM talk at the TEDx conference, Janice! All your points hit the nail on the head. It is important to share information about The Reuse Alliance, a national nonprofit working to increase public awareness of reuse by educating individuals & organizations about the social, environmental and economic benefits of reuse. The Creative Reuse Association, a project of Reuse Alliance, is a community of creative reuse centers and upcyclers from around the world.
To summarize the bare-bones of such a center, "to locate, collect and distribute unwanted, donated by-products, overruns, rejects and discontinued items from local business and manufacturers." It is nothing "new" - but needs to be coordinated on a national basis. Every child, artist and community member should have access to these open-ended, hands-on, CREATIVE materials. And, centers DO have a triple bottom line for their economic, environmental and social benefits! Thank you.

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