What could be more important in Greensboro than the arts?  The arts in Greensboro include music, visual arts, dance, theater and I am sure I am missing something!  There is so much diversity within the arts be it classical music to jazz to folk, then contemporary art and classic art, ballet and modern dance and the list goes on.  The arts in Greensboro exemplifies the diversity of our city in ways that many cities can not be defined.  We are fortunate to have such diversity!

Why are the arts important to any city?  Most directly, and most undervalued, is the arts impact on the economy.  Whether it is out of town guest coming to concerts or art showings eating at restaurants or staying in hotels, money exchanges hands.  Additionally, money is used to purchase tickets or buy art.  When art is purchased from local artists those artists spend their money--- typically locally!  In the case of the Symphony, when tickets are purchased the money is used to pay employees of the symphony (my guess is much greater than 100 people- all people who are involved in the education of our children or other ways that impact our lives!) who in turn pay mortgages, rent, for groceries and clothes.  That is the easy impact on our economy.

The hard impact of the arts on our economy is one that is hard to measure-- it is the value the arts add to the perceived health of our community.  It is easy to visualize the effect of the crowd of people at a baseball stadium but it is harder to understand the importance of the arts in bringing in business to Greensboro.  Would a good place to invest have a symphony orchestra?  Would it have an art museum, a jazz club, a community art center, a professional theater? 

(Forgive me... I’m going to rant for a second...) Arts and sports do not compete-- they really compliment one another.  There should be a give and take with the arts and sports-- kids who are athletes should be instructed in the arts the same way that kids who are artists should be given ample opportunity to excel in sports.  In fact, if kids were scrutinized the same way, kids who did poorly in the arts should be ridiculed the same way that kids who are not talented in sports are... Perhaps people would grow up more loving and kind.  I don’t know many artists who, after being picked on as children, turn out to be bullies--I know a bunch of jocks who are bullies!

ANYWAY...

Arts... If people think of the arts in our community as having an impact on the economy then schools will be hard pressed to reduce budgets in arts programming; additionally, maybe a city would understand why it is so important to have the very best performance halls and venues available for the performing arts. 

Agree?  Disagree?  Tell me why!  Please!