Intangible Goods

August 12th, 2009 at 06:15pm Rebecca Fetter

Artists often feel uncomfortable with the emphasis given to market aspects in the debate over creative definitions, classifications, intellectual property rights (as explored in the 2008 UNCTAD Creative Economy report).  But the economic impact of arts is not entirely attributed by the “Hollywoods” generating billions in domestic sales or providing jobs and supporting ancillary businesses. Much like education, creative industries produce intangible goods and services which contribute to the greater good of our economy. Arts benefits like social inclusion, cultural diversity and human development have no price tag, unless they’re underutilized by a population who will then pay for crime and other behaviors increasing tax dollars.

The spankin’ new chairman at National Endowment for the Arts, Rocco Landesman, is not surprisingly being probed by media for his commentary on arts as an economic driver. At any rate, way before he was confirmed by the Senate, New York Times  warned us that Mr. Landesman is someone who isn’t “famous for his skills as an administrator or diplomat. Rather, he is known for his energy, intellect and irreverent — and occasionally sharp-elbowed — candor.”

This year’s NEA budget is $21 million less than its peak in 1992, so Mr. Landesman is expected to lobby hard for more arts money, and could give the local arts community more options. Since 2005, the Rockford Region received $70,000 from NEA toward arts programs since 2005. $40,000, alone, was awarded this year (http://arts.endow.gov/). The chairman has yet to give more details on his priorities, but talked about starting a program that he called “Our Town,” which could be an alternative option for local projects like ArtSpace envisioned by The Element. The program would provide home equity loans and rent subsidies for live-work spaces to encourage artists to move to downtown areas.

Entry Filed under: Local Artists, Arts Advocacy