Championing the Arts in Georgia’s Cities

BY LARRY HANSON, CEO AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

We See It In The Unique

sculptures, vibrant murals, and while experiencing some of the nation’s most inspiring performing artists.

When Georgia’s cities champion and invest in the arts, our communities are more alive and filled with a sense of wonder, excitement, and opportunity. The arts have a profound impact in various ways such as fostering economic development and enhancing community and civic pride. These investments in the arts attract tourists, generate revenue, and create jobs. Cultural institutions become anchors for local businesses, fueling the growth of restaurants, shops, and hotels. By embracing and championing the arts, cities can forge a path towards building or sustaining economic prosperity.

According to the National Endowment of the Arts, in 2020, arts and cultural production in Georgia added 3.8% or $23.8 billion to the state’s economy. With the growth of production studios, Georgia is now a leading destination in the world for filming. Georgia’s arts and cultural industries employed 134,217 workers, who earned wages and benefits totaling over $11.4 billion. Those numbers are significant for our state and our cities. The exciting thing is that they continue to grow.

Our Georgia cities are also great destinations for the performing arts and entertainment. One great example of the power of investing can be seen through the work of the Fox Theatre. As a passionate advocate for the arts and board member of Fox Theatre, I’ve worked closely with the Fox Theatre Institute (FTI), which is a dynamic outreach program offering historic preservation and operations expertise, consultation, and educational support to performing arts venues in Georgia. Since 2008, FTI has awarded more than 80 historic preservation grants and assisted more than 50 historic theatres, with major investments in 12 theatres anchored in Georgia Main Street Program cities. I hope your city has received or will pursue grant funding from FTI for your historic downtown theatre.

Through the institute’s work, we have witnessed firsthand how the restoration and revitalization of historic theaters can breathe new life into communities. These theatres become more than mere venues; they become catalysts for economic growth, cultural exchange, and community pride. They are truly the gathering places in our cities.

Arts also help nurture creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in our youth. The Macon Violence Prevention Program featured in this month’s magazine is an excellent example of how the arts can connect students to the community and inspire the next leaders of our cities.

The arts have the power to transform lives, communities, and cities. Let us champion this power, invest in the arts, and continue to enhance Georgia cities where the arts are celebrated and cherished by all. The arts unite. Cities unite. Let’s continue to be Cities United to bring strength through unity for all of Georgia’s 537 cities.