Art helps the economic future

Who would have thought that in the recession cultural centres would become economic centres. Brooklyn painter Ran Ortner had never heard of Grand Rapids, Michigan (wonder where he had been all this time?) before a friend entered him a a new art contest there last fall.
Since winning the $250,000 top award in the city's inaugural ArtPrize competition, Ortner's career has blossomed.
Art Prize also provided a boost to Grand Rapids, in western Michigan. the works of more than 1,200 artists drew an estimated 200,000 people downtown far exceeding expectations according to executive director Bill Holsinger-Robinson.
As the nation's economy has struggled amid falling property values, many other communities are counting on the arts as a means of economic development. In downtown areas of Baltimore and Phoenix and smaller towns such as Pudach,Ky, officials see the arts as chance to bring development, grant dollars and people back to struggling neighbourhoods.
It is interesting that communities have little use for the arts when they are thriving, they are seen as a frill. They depend on for profit companies. Artists are expected to manage on their own but once the economy falters, arts are supposed to be the source of development. Time to rethink this attitude.