"Their social impact on neighborhoods is the arts’ critical link to economic revitalization. Empirical research suggests that culture—like other forms of civic engagement—strengthens relationships among local neighborhood members as well as their determination to be involved in community life. At the same time, because of the participation patterns it generates; culture, more than many activities, fosters connections across neighborhoods and social groups. This dual role—strengthening communities and building bridges between them—best explains culture’s effectiveness."
Dos documentos interesantes:
+ Cultivating Natural Cultural Districts, reporte de Mark Stern y Susan Seifert de la School of Social Policy & Practice de la Universidad de Pennsylvania para la Fundación Knight:
"Can the arts and culture play a central role in revitalizing American cities? Over the past decade, a number of cities have answered this question affirmatively. For the most part, they have turned to big-ticket downtown cultural districts as the strategy to expand their “creative economy.” At the same time, skeptics like Joel Kotkin have ridiculed this approach as the creation of “the ephemeral city” that ignores the fundamentals of good city-building for the illusion of urban vitality."
+ Creative New York del Center for an Urban Future:
"This study, for the first time, provides a full picture
of New York City’s “creative core”—encompassing both
non-profit arts and cultural organizations and forprofit
creative companies, such as advertising agencies,
film producers and publishers. The study also details
what is needed to ensure that this critical part of the
city’s economy continues to flourish, an important discussion
at a time when a growing number of cities and
states are building economic development strategies
around attracting the kind of creative people that have
long congregated in New York."
