Art Center, Symphony officials talk economic development

story and photos by Linda Kaufenberg

A small group of past and present class members of Leadership Fort Smith gathered Thursday evening (Feb. 4) for a tour of the 15,000-square-foot building planned to be the new home of the Fort Smith Art Center.

The tour was part of the economic development day for the current Leadership Fort Smith class. John Jeter, director of the Fort Smith Symphony and Steve Jones, vice president of the Fort Smith Art Center board of directors, spoke about how the arts is an important piece in the success of a regional economy.

Jeter said site location consultants ask questions about arts in the area when looking for locations.

"It can be an element in their decision making," Jeter said. "To grow your community, it’s part of the picture.

A June 2004 report written primarily by Neeta Delaney for the Michigan economic development officials, lays out the basic argument for those who believe economic development success requires a vibrant arts culture.

“For decades, the business of economic development has been built around the basic strategy of attracting the companies that bring the jobs that in turn bring the people. With access to human capital (creative, knowledgeable workers) increasingly driving economic decisions and investment, the economic development business is rapidly expanding to include the work of attracting the people who in turn attract and/or start the businesses that bring the jobs. In short, the nature and scope of what is involved in economic development is changing,” the report noted.

The report continued, pointing specifically to the need for job recruiters to partner with arts groups: “If developing the economy now includes the work of retaining and attracting people, particularly creative, knowledgeable people, to live and work in our communities, then economic developers are going to need new partners who can help them create the kind of culturally vibrant communities that will retain and attract the workers and entrepreneurs we need to fuel this new knowledge-based creative economy.”

Jones said the new Fort Smith Art Center building will help maximize the role of art in the region.

"We are trying to turn up the volume for visual arts like the symphony has for the performing arts. When finished, this building will be a piece of art with art in it and we will be able to create art in it,” Jones explained.

Arvest Bank donated a former branch bank facility — acquired in its $211 million purchase of Superior Federal Bank in late 2003 — at 1601 Rogers Ave. to the Fort Smith Art Center so that center officials can expand their space to exhibit art, photos and provide other services. The 15,000-square-foot building will require renovations estimated at about $2 million, which will be raised in a capital campaign. Galen Hunter, the architect of the original building, is the architect for the renovation.

Before touring the building, Jones explained that the first floor will feature traveling art exhibits, the permanent collection will be on the second floor and the basement will house community programming and outreach. The large lobby area will be used to receive guests and for fundraisers.