Cities and the Arts

Citizens, nonprofit organizations and local public officials—in increasing numbers—are using the arts and culture as vehicles to improve their downtowns, as well as to enhance general economic conditions within their communities. Public officials especially are learning that they can plant the seeds of urban renewal and, at the same time, promote their city’s culture and arts. This not only renews their neighborhoods and downtowns, but also attracts tourists and private investment. A new eclectic economic development model has evolved and is beginning to work in a number of politically, economically, racially and culturally diverse communities throughout America. From Atlanta and Reno to Philadelphia and Seattle, this work includes numerous case studies that demonstrate the ways in which cities and towns are now using the arts to stimulate both downtown and neighborhood revitalization. The future of the arts in cities is also examined. Five appendices are included, as well: “Cities with Arts, Cultural, and/or Entertainment Districts in the United States,” “Regional Resource Directory,” “National Resource Directory,” “National Directory of State Art Agencies,” and “National Directory of Regional Arts Organizations.”

Roger L. Kemp, Ph.D., ICMA-CM, has been a city manager on both the East and West coasts for more than 25 years. He is presently Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Public Administration at Golden Gate University and a Fellow of The Academy of Political Science.

Edited by Roger L. Kemp

Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 300
Bibliographic Info: appendices, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2004
pISBN: 978-0-7864-2007-0
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vii
Preface      1

Part I: Cities and the Arts
1. Cultural Resources as Economic Development Tools      7
2. How the Arts Drive Downtown Revitalization      11
3. Putting the Arts to Work for Main Street Renewal      16
4. Using the Arts for Community Economic Development      21
5. Making the Most of the Arts and Culture with a Plan      29

Part II: The Best Practices
6. Atlanta, Other Cities, Promote Their Culture to Attract Tourists      37
7. Baton Rouge Develops a Master Plan for the Arts      41
8. Berkeley Creates an Arts District to Revive Its Downtown      46
9. Boston Uses Historic Preservation for Inner-City Renewal      50
10. Charleston Builds a New Public Library to Stimulate Community Revitalization      56
11. Chattanooga, Other Cities, Use the Arts and Culture to Restore Aging Riverfront Areas      60
12. Chicago, Other Cities, Use Museums to Promote Cultural Tourism in Their Downtowns      66
13. Cincinnati, Other Cities, Use Historic Preservation to Transform Train Stations into Cultural Attractions      71
14. Denver Region Citizens Adopt a Special Tax to Finance Arts and Cultural Organizations      76
15. Fort Worth Approves an Entertainment District for Downtown Renewal      83
16. Hartford Develops an Historic Riverfront to Stimulate Inner-City Tourism      89
17. Houston’s Master Plan for Public Art Facilitates Downtown Renewal      95
18. Houston Uses the Performing Arts and Sports to Reinvigorate Its Downtown      100
19. Little Rock Focuses on Cultural Assets and Historic Preservation to Restore Its Aging River District      107
20. Los Angeles, Other Cities, Build Branch Libraries to Stimulate Neighborhood Revitalization      111
21. Louisville, Other Cities, Try Multi-Use Sports Stadiums to Spur Inner-City Renewal      116
22. Lowell, Other Cities, Develop Urban Cultural Parks to Preserve Their Heritage and Lure Tourists      122
23. Madison Restores Main Street to Preserve Its History and Architecture      126
24. Memphis Approves a Museum and Music Academy to Preserve Its Culture, Arts, and History      134
25. Minneapolis Stresses the Arts and Culture as Catalysts for Economic Development      137
26. Nashville Develops a Master Plan for Entertainment to Drive the Arts and Culture      140
27. Newark’s Performing Arts Center Creates a Rebirth of Downtown      147
28. New Bedford Preserves Its Historical Waterfront District and Architecture to Promote Tourism      154
29. New England Cities Use the Arts, Culture, and Entertainment to Spur Community Growth      160
30. New York Builds New Theatres to Revive an Aging Entertainment District      165
31. Orlando and Lakeland Put Public Art in Civic Places to Shape Their Landscape      171
32. Peekskill, Providence, and Phoenix Build Artists’ Lofts to Spur Downtown Revitalization      176
33. Philadelphia, Other Cities, Create Arts and Cultural Districts to Revive Their Downtowns      180
34. Reno, Other Cities, Develop Arts Facilities to Stimulate Their Downtown Economy      190
35. San Francisco Capitalizes on Culture to Renovate Its Neighborhoods      195
36. Seattle’s Arts and Entertainment Facilities Draw Other Developments      198
37. Silver Spring Focuses on Arts, Culture, and Historical Preservation      204
38. South Boston Approves Artists’ Lofts to Improve the Neighborhood      209
39. Washington, D.C., Embraces Culture and Entertainment for Its Downtown Renaissance      215
40. West Palm Beach Focuses on the Performing Arts and Entertainment to Spur Downtown Development      221

Part III: The Future
41. The Arts Are Here to Stay      227
42. The Arts in the 21st Century      231
43. Nonprofit Organizations and the Arts      240
44. The Creative Class and Cities      244
45. Cities and the Arts      248

Cities with Arts, Cultural, or Entertainment Districts in the United States      253
Regional Resource Directory      254
National Resource Directory      261
National Directory of State Arts Agencies      266
National Directory of Regional Arts Organizations      271
Bibliography      272
About the Editor and Contributors      283
Index      285

“exciting collection of essays…an excellent, up-to-date treatment of a timely topic”—Catholic Library World