By Tom McClimon
February 3, 2003

Meeting with the leadership of Americans for the Arts, and the U.S. Urban Arts Federation, the Arts, Parks, Entertainment and Sports Committee focused its agenda on the role of local arts agencies in revitalizing communities and spurring economic development. Billings (MT) Mayor Charles Tooley, chaired the committee discussion along with Jill McGuire, Director, St. Louis Arts Commission and Chair, of the U.S. Urban Arts Federation, which is composed of the directors of the nation's largest arts agencies.

Mayors heard from Robert Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts which recently released an economic impact study of the nation's nonprofit arts organizations and their audiences. The report concludes that the arts generate $134 billion in total economic activity. This spending-$53.2 billion by nonprofit arts organizations and an additional $80.8 billion in event-related spending by the audiences'supports 4.9 million jobs and delivers more than $24 billion in total government revenues.

Following Mr. Lynch's remarks, members of the Urban Arts Federations gave brief presentations on particular "Best Practices" in the arts in their communities. Presenters included: Ramona Baker, Director of the Arts Council of Indianapolis; Joan Small, Deputy Commissioner, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs; Esther Kaplan, Director, Boston Office of Cultural Affairs; Elizabeth Eickman, Director, Arts Council of Oklahoma City; Ray Hanley, Director, Greater Columbus Arts Council; and Marilyn Wheaton, Director, Detroit Department of Cultural Affairs.

The U.S. Urban Arts Federation pledged to work with the Conference on developing a "best practices" publication of these and other successful arts programs.