Want to learn more? Check out these resources:
Americans for the Arts Arts and Economic Prosperity 5 report
Tennessee Arts Commission Arts and Economic Prosperity 5 report
Metro Nashville Arts Commission Resources
National Endowment for the Arts Research
University of Pennsylvania, Social Impact of the Arts Project
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies Why Should Government Support the Arts reportSo, what does all this mean? The arts matter and, we hope you will agree, should have continued public investment.
Arts Advocacy is the practice of recommending public policies and funding that support the arts. We at Cheekwood advocate for the arts and we hope you will too! On Arts Advocacy Day, supporters gather to learn about how to advocate for the arts and meet with elected officials to recommend support for arts funding and policies.
This year, Arts Advocacy Day is March 7 for Tennessee and March 12-13 for the nation.
To learn more, explore national and local agencies designed to help us advocate for arts and culture: Americans for the Arts, Tennesseans for the Arts, and the Nashville Arts Coalition.
If you want to participate in another way, simply getting a Tennessee specialty arts license plate builds support for local arts – not to mention making your car look oh-so-fabulous! Head over to our Foundation and Government Support page for more info on the license plate program.
Thank you for supporting arts and culture and thank you for supporting Cheekwood!According to the Arts Action Fund, studies have shown that students who have an “arts rich” education get better grades (especially in reading and math) and are more likely to stay in school. Additionally, research has shown that communities with strong arts and culture resources also report better civic participation, health, and quality of life.
The arts also contribute to the economy and help drive tourism. Arts creation and distribution companies represent 4% of all businesses in the U.S. and 2% of all U.S. employees. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that arts and cultural production contributed $730 billion (4.2% of the GDP) to the nation’s economy in 2014.
In Nashville-Davidson County, the nonprofit arts and culture sector generates over $429 million to the local economy – almost twice that of similar regions by population.
The benefits of arts and culture warrant continued investment to ensure preservation and growth of these important community assets.In the United States, a small portion of federal, state, and many local government budgets are allocated for the arts. These small allocations make a big difference to arts and culture in our communities.
In recent years, Cheekwood has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Tennessee Arts Commission, and the Metro Nashville Arts Commission – imperative support for our enriching education programs and art exhibitions.Have you ever heard of Arts Advocacy? How about Arts Advocacy Day? If you know what we’re talking about – great! If not, let us share with you.
First, let’s begin with some context and a matter-of-fact statement: the arts matter. They make a difference in our personal lives and how we move about in society.