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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem B: Arts and Business Alliance of Eugene Update ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Arts and Business Alliance of Eugene Update Meeting Date: April 20, 2011 Agenda Item Number: B Department: Library, Recreation & Cultural Services Staff Contact: Renee Grube www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5067 ISSUE STATEMENT This work session is an opportunity to provide an update on the progress of the Arts and Business Alliance of Eugene (ABAE), which was launched in October 2008. The Alliance is a partnership between the City of Eugene, University of Oregon, Lane Community College, Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce and Travel Lane County. BACKGROUND The ABAE was formed in response to the Cultural Policy Review recommendation that called for an alliance for arts and culture to coordinate and strengthen the efforts of the public, private and nonprofit cultural sectors and foster high-level civic leadership in support of arts and culture. Business is essential to a viable arts community and arts are good for business. The ABAE encourages business leaders to take leadership roles within the arts and culture sector, and the arts and culture sector to recognize the economic vitality the business sector contributes to the community. ABAE is dedicated to enriching the cultural life of our community by acting as a catalyst for creating dynamic partnerships between the arts, culture and business sectors. ABAE’s five-year business plan focuses on six key objectives:  Recognize and stimulate community leadership in arts and culture.  Enhance community-wide awareness of the economic, educational, and business benefits of art and culture.  Advocate for arts investment and participation.  Contribute to the economic health and livability of the community.  Promote ABAE sustainability and ability to meet stated goals. To accomplish these objectives ABAE has undertaken some key initiatives in order to work towards the advancement of its mission of “enriching our community through strong arts and business partnerships.” BRAVA (Business Recognizing Arts Vision and Achievement) Breakfast In November 2009, ABAE began hosting biannual BRAVA breakfasts, engaging community leaders from both sectors to recognize the contribution of arts and culture to community vitality, highlight successful and inspiring arts and business partnerships, and to give updates on ABAE initiatives. The fall breakfast is designed to educate, engage and inspire, and presents guest speakers, such as Randy \\Cesrv500\cc support\CMO\2011 Council Agendas\M110420\S110420B.doc Cohen, Vice President for Research and Policy for Americans for the Arts. The spring breakfast provides the platform for Eugene’s arts awards. Eugene A Go-Go With a grant from the Oregon Community Foundation, ABAE has developed a comprehensive calendar and communication tool that will provide information to the arts community and its current and future patrons. This unique site builds a true online community through a rich social-media environment. That important difference is what makes Eugene A Go-Go ideal for both users and arts organizations. Information is provided to the arts community and its patrons, collaboration and communication among artists and patrons and future audiences is enhanced, performers are able to "own" sites within and a comprehensive events calendar is provided. Smaller organizations now have an online mechanism to keep their current and future patrons informed without the challenge of cost prohibitive development expenses. Eugene A Go-Go promotes everything in one place including events, artists and venues. To our knowledge, there is currently not another tool like this available. Arts and Economic Prosperity Study ABAE facilitated Eugene’s participation in the Arts & Economic Prosperity IV study, conducted by Americans for the Arts. The study is aimed at documenting the role that nonprofit arts and culture industry plays in strengthening the national and local economies. As a result, Eugene will receive a detailed, customized report with statistics and analyses about the arts and culture in the community, including the total dollars spent by Eugene’s nonprofit arts and culture organizations and the total dollars spent by audiences as a direct result of their attendance at arts and cultural events in Eugene. Communities that participated previously have used the findings as an advocacy tool for a variety of arts-related issues, including promoting arts education, increasing funding opportunities for artists and art organizations or exploring urban redevelopment projects. Data is currently being collected and the study is scheduled to be completed in June 2012. Arts and Culture District Downtown Eugene is home to a wide array of entertainment options including theater, dance, concerts, art galleries, and restaurants. With these great foundations, a well-defined Arts and Culture District with a mix of venues and activities would take downtown’s existing activities to the next level and attract more visitors, support a healthy downtown economy, and foster community identity. The ABAE is working to support an Arts and Culture District that would tap the potential of events and venues to characterize downtown as a rich arts and culture center. Arts and culture sectors attract visitors to downtown whose purchases cause rippling economic effects in other sectors. Downtown restaurants, hotels, parking garages, and retail stores all experience positive economic benefits from visitors to arts and culture-related events. By improving the quality and livability of Eugene with the addition of a designated Arts and Culture District, downtown will become more attractive to companies considering relocation. ABAE is currently researching best practices/models for successful Arts and Culture Districts in communities similar to Eugene and mapping arts and cultural assets in Downtown Eugene. RELATED CITY POLICIES This item supports the City Council’s Vision and Goals for Accessible and Thriving Culture and Recreation, Sustainable Development and Effective and Accountable Municipal Government. It also supports the implementation of priority strategies identified in the Cultural Policy Review. \\Cesrv500\cc support\CMO\2011 Council Agendas\M110420\S110420B.doc COUNCIL OPTIONS No options are provided; this item is for information only. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION No recommendation is suggested; this item is for information only. SUGGESTED MOTION No suggested motion; this item is for information only. ATTACHMENTS A. Arts and Business Alliance Business Plan FOR MORE INFORMATION Staff Contact: Renee Grube Telephone: 541-682-5067 Staff E-Mail: renee.l.grube@ci.eugene.or.us \\Cesrv500\cc support\CMO\2011 Council Agendas\M110420\S110420B.doc