Ok so Ive been caught up in my own drama recently but here is my response to someone who posted that we should get rid of the arts because we have too many potholes and its a drain. With all due respect, you dont know what you are talking about. This city cant afford to get rid of the arts! They provide programs, education and activities that keep kids OFF THE STREET! But many people have commented on that aspect. What many people do not realize is that the Arts bring MONEY INTO THE LOCAL ECONOMY. Theatres alone spend money on wood and paint for their sets - that is all spent locally. You cant order that stuff off of Amazon. They spend money locally on costumes and most of the supplies it takes to run a theatre and put on a show. The Arts in America generate $134 BILLION dollars in economic activity. The Arts in Oklahoma generate $42 MILLION dollars in sales tax revenue. $42 MILLION DOLLARS for our state!!! And Arts organizations have provided over 4500 jobs a year for Oklahoma residents. Not to mention the fact that high tech companies looking to locate or relocate, look for areas with a high density of creativity. Its known as the creative class. Where creative people congregate, economic development follows. Look at the booming business that the Brady Arts District is doing, and bringing in our economy. Yes, fire and police are important. But how about if the mayor pays one less consultant. How about if Tulsa continues to grow its creative class and attracts more tech industry - industry that hires highly skilled, educated workers, who typically make and spend more money. The Arts are not the bad guys here. In fact, Tulsa would suffer economically without them.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Jun 2014 22:11:11 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015