The Great Divide: Reaction Tight Wallets Stifle The Arts Audiences Stay Away When Jobs Pay Poorly
In the last decade, as Spokane has become a service-based economy, the not-for-profit arts sector has been one of the growth leaders. Full- and part-time jobs in 23 arts organizations jumped from 340 in 1984 to 3,269 in 1995. More interesting, the economic impact of only 23 organizations rose from $6 million in 1984 to over $31 million in 1995.
Even with a work force that rivals the largest of Spokane’s employers and a remarkable financial contribution to the community, the arts are seldom taken seriously as players for the development of the city.
Some of that is the result of the national attack on the arts. Some of it is part of the belief that anything in Spokane has to be second-rate. That belief persists even though the Symphony is nationally known for quality and Civic Theatre is regularly judged “Best in State.” Last June, Civic received a silver medal in “Best in America” adjudication.
Part II of the “Great Divide” series pointed out a significant difference that we in the arts have known for some time. Spokane workers have less disposable income than their Seattle counterparts.
Concert and theater goers are very cost-conscious. Ticket buyers tend to wait to read a review or find out what other people think before they buy. One-performance events such as concerts must be heavily advertised in order to attract attendees. Both situations clearly affect organizational spending. Even as costs go up, not-for-profit arts managers have to keep ticket prices down. As Interplayers has to pay higher salaries to actors, the cost can’t be made up just by raising ticket prices.
Two major changes in Spokane have greatly affected the ability to raise funds.
As the federal government pulls away from social support, the private sector is expected to replace missing funds. Often a declining number of foundations are asked to choose between shelters and children’s concerts.
The second major change is that many local businesses that were traditionally strong supporters of the arts, such as banks, have merged or been bought out and their corporate offices moved. Local mangers know much more about the need to support local arts than do distant managers.
The arts address cultural and economic problems Spokane faces today. In education, studies show that students who take classes in the arts score as much as 57 points higher on SAT tests than students who don’t take classes. Cultural tourism is a solution to generating even more income in our service-based economy. Spokane’s museum, concerts and theaters can draw tourists. In our need to attract companies offering higher paying jobs, the arts are a fundamental attraction.
Artists are by their nature problem solvers. If part of the new commitment to excellence by individuals and business includes the means to support a healthy, financially stable community of theaters, the Symphony, galleries and the museum, the people supported will be the ones to attract the new dollars.
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MEMO: Jack Phillips is executive director of the Spokane Civic Theatre and chairman of the Spokane Arts Commission.