Getting Artistic in Attracting Business
by October 28, 2002 12:00 am 65 views
The Cultural Development Plan Committee formed by the Northwest Arkansas Council, a group of business and community leaders, has come up with a five-part plan for improving cultural opportunities in the area.
During an Oct. 16 press conference, Jim Blair, co-chairman of the cultural committee, said a growing business community has to offer cultural arts.
The perception is that the area doesn’t have great theater, music or other cultural amenities and that makes it hard for some businesses to attract “the most skilled workers,” Blair said.
With a $36,000 grant from CommunityCare Foundation Inc., the Walton Arts Center was able to hire consultants from The North Group Inc. of New York to study the areas cultural arts opportunities. The plan for improving cultural arts includes the following:
n Development of a regional arts council.
n Establishment of a cultural district.
n Promoting more prominent shows and artists for the Walton Arts center.
n Building a larger performing arts facility.
n Creating centralized services to make the arts more accessible.
Anita Scism, Walton Arts Center president and CEO, said a Northwest Arkansas regional arts council could be formed to support fund raising for the arts and provide centralized services for arts programs.
The plan is expected to be finalized later this year.