RESOURCES Posts

Updated and Expanded CultureCount Numbers & Impact Calculator

Published: March 10, 2010Posted in: FEATURES 1, NON PROFIT RESOURCES, RESOURCESTags: , , ,
Updated and Expanded CultureCount Numbers & Impact Calculator

According to NEFA’s Latest Nonprofit Study, New England Arts + Culture Nonprofits Spent 3.6 Billion Dollars in 2007. Economic impact estimates take this direct spending number ($3.6 billion) and add indirect and induced spending to account for the multiplier effect of these nonprofits in their communities.

So, the three classes of spending (direct, indirect, and induced) not only reflect related increases in spending for the cultural sector, but the subsequent spending in other industry sectors, such as educational services and real estate.  The 3.6 billion in spending is only a starting point for analyzing the economic impact of arts and culture nonprofits! Click here to estimate the economic impact for organizations in Massachusetts.New England Cultural Nonprofit Expense by Discipline

New England Cultural Nonprofit Expense by Discipline
(Click on the chart to view the interactive version)

If you completed a NEFA nonprofit financial survey last year, view your results:

Sign In to your account.
In the left-hand panel, click the link “Review my organization’s financial data.” The most recent fiscal year is available for you to view.

Not familiar with the NEFA Nonprofit Survey?  Click here to learn more.

NASAA Creative Economy Resource Center

Published: February 18, 2010Posted in: FEATURES 1, FOR PROFIT RESOURCES, NON PROFIT RESOURCES, RESOURCESTags: , , , , , ,
NASAA Creative Economy Resource Center

The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) is the membership organization that unites, represents and serves the nation’s state and jurisdictional arts agencies. Each of the 56 states and jurisdictions has created an agency to support excellence in and access to the arts. As  part of NASAA’s efforts, they have compiled the following Creative Economy facts  and f igures

  • In fiscal year 2009, state arts agencies invested $328 million in creating and sustaining arts infrastructures in communities across the nation.
    Source: National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, Legislative Appropriations Fact Sheet Fiscal Year 2010
  • America’s nonprofit arts industry generates $166.2 billion in economic activity every year, resulting in $29.6 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenues.
    Source: Americans for the Arts, Arts & Economic Prosperity III: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations and Their Audiences, 2007.
  • The creative sector, whose economic function is to create new ideas or creative content, employs 38 million Americans, or 30 percent of all employed people.
    Source: Richard Florida, The Rise of the Creative Class, 2002.
  • In 2005, 1.99 million identified an artist occupation as their primary job, while another 300,000 reported secondary employment as an artist.
    Source: National Endowment for the Arts, Artists in the Workforce, 2008
  • In 2008, 612,095 U.S. businesses participated in the production or distribution of art and employed nearly 3 million people.
    Source: Americans for the Arts, Creative Industries Report, 2008.
  • Americans donated more than $307.65 billion to the arts in 2008 through individual giving, estates, foundations and corporations.
    Source: Giving USA Foundation, Giving USA, 2009 Press Release.
  • In 2008, 70.3% of all American leisure travelers participated in at least one aspect of cultural heritage tourism in the past year. This figure outpaces the number of Americans who visited friends or relatives (64.7%) and roughly equals the proportion (73.0%) of travelers staying in a paid lodging. Source: Destination Analysts,  Fall 2008 edition of Cultural Heritage Tourism News and State of the American Traveler, 2009
  • American consumers spent $12.8 billion ($42.8 per person) on admissions to performing arts events in 2005.
    Source: National Endowment for the Arts, Consumer Spending on Performing Arts, 2006
  • More people are attending live performing arts events than professional sporting events in 10 major communities across the United States.
    Source: Performing Arts Research Coalition, The Value of the Performing Arts in Ten Communities, 2004.
  • Copyright Industries (businesses that rely on copyrights and produce computer software, films, television programs, and other audio, visual and printed media) accounted for 11% of U.S. gross domestic product ($1.38 trillion).
    Source: International Intellectual Property Alliance, Copyright Industries in the US Economy, 2006.
  • In 2006, nonprofits—including public charities, private foundations, and all other—accounted for 8.1 percent of the wages and salaries paid in the United States.
    Source: The Urban Institute, The Nonprofit Sector in Brief, 2008.

For additional information, visit the Creative Economy Resource Center or contact Jesse Rye at NASAA.

Pioneer Institute Launches New Resource: MassCityStats.Org

Published: February 15, 2010Posted in: FEATURES 1, FOR PROFIT RESOURCES, NON PROFIT RESOURCES, RESOURCESTags: , , , , ,
Pioneer Institute Launches New Resource: MassCityStats.Org

MassCityStats.org is a website which gives the public  access to municipal data for 14 Middle Cities across Massachusetts.

How does a city stack up to others in terms of the quality of its core services? Is the city’s economy growing? Is a school district doing a good job at educating your kids? Since 2008, Pioneer Institute has worked with 14 cities from across Massachusetts by asking over 160 community members and municipal leaders those same questions. They also asked them just how they could measure performance in these critical core service areas. They came up with over 600 suggestions!

With the help of practitioners, experts and academic partners, Pioneer identified the benchmarks that most community members suggested, and paired them with benchmarks that were grounded in research.  They then created MassCityStats so members of the public like could access the data most important to them.

What can you do with this data? Become better informed, share it with others, ask your leaders well-formulated questions, and ensure greater accountability in municipal government.

Check out the below video and visit MassCityStats.org to learn more!

MassCityStats from Mike Dean on Vimeo.

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

New Art Shuttle Service

Published: February 12, 2010Posted in: FEATURES 1, FOR PROFIT RESOURCES, NON PROFIT RESOURCES, RESOURCESTags: , , ,
New Art Shuttle Service

Chapman Studio Frame & Crate of North Adams now offering monthly art shuttle service to New York and other destinations.

CSF&C is an art services company operated by Michael Chapman,  offering museum quality custom frames and crates using locally sourced woods. CSF&C also provides panels and stretchers for individual artists.  Michael has over 20 years in the art handling and installation business with 10 years at Bark Frameworks LLC. He also worked as preparator at MASS MoCA and Williams College Museum of Art.

The first trip will be mad Thursday, February 25, 2010 and will travel to New York City and the surrounding areas  .

For more information or an estimate, please contact Chapman Studio Frame & Crate  Space is limited as to allow for same day, safe delivery of items.  Delivery services are also available for an exclusive shipment or to other destinations.  Details may be arranged upon request.

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

Mark Your Calendars for SPARKettes!

Published: February 10, 2010Posted in: BERKSHIRE CREATIVE, EVENTS, FEATURES 1, FEATURES 2, FOR PROFIT RESOURCES, LOCAL NEWS, NEWS BULLETIN, NON PROFIT RESOURCES, RESOURCESTags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Mark Your Calendars for SPARKettes!

SPARKette: (n) mini-SPARK! networking event for industry clusters within the creative economy.

SPARKettes are an opportunity for colleagues in an industry cluster to meet and connect at a scaled down, focused networking event. Whether you are part of one of the clusters, seeking services from them, or are just interested in learning more about a particular group, SPARKettes are here to help you ignite that connection!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

SPARKettes are held once a month, February-November 2010, with a different industry cluster addressed each month!

5:30-7:00pm

Upstairs at Jae’s Spice, North Street, Pittsfield, MA

FREE

Cash Bar

Hors D’ouevres and venue generously provided by Jae’s Spice!

Click here to RSVP to the SPARKettes of your choice!

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MONTH//INDUSTRY

FEBRUARY// VISUAL MEDIA
FEB. 9th, 2010
Publishers, Printers, Writers, Photographers, Graphic Designers, Web Designers, Publicists, Marketers

MARCH//CULTURE AND HERITAGE
MAR. 23rd, 2010
Museums, Theatres, Theatre Companies, Garden Museums, Historic Homes, Libraries, Heritage Preservation

APRIL//VISUAL ARTS
APR. 13th, 2010
 Artists, Artisans, Galleries, Arts Agents, Collectors, Museums, Art Venues, Crafters, Curators

MAY//COMMUNICATIONS
MAY 11th, 2010
Magazines, Newspapers, Radio, Television, Journalists, Bloggers, Publicists, Marketers

JUNE// FILM AND MEDIA ARTS
JUNE 8th, 2010
Film, Animation, New Media, and Supporting Industries

JULY//ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESS
JULY 13th, 2010
Small Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, Sole Proprietors, Freelance Professionals

AUGUST//YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
AUG. 10th, 2010
Young Professionals working in the creative economy

SEPTEMBER//MUSIC/PERFORMING ARTS
SEPT. 14, 2010
Musicians (beginners, teachers, and professionals), Actors, Theatres, Festivals, Venues, Managers

OCTOBER// EDUCATION
OCT. 12th, 2010
Museum Educators, Public and Private School Teachers, School Administrators

NOVEMBER// HOUSING SUPPORT
NOV. 9th, 2010
Interior Design, Landscape Architects, Architects, Builders, Home Product Designers/Makers, Real Estate Agents

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SPECIAL THANKS TO SPARK! LEAD SPONSOR

GREYLOCK FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

If you live or work in the Berkshires, you are cordially invited to join Greylock Federal Credit Union.

AND

SPARKette SPONSOR


Take Your Small Business Global with the SBA

Published: February 9, 2010Posted in: FEATURES 1, FOR PROFIT RESOURCES, RESOURCESTags: , , ,
Take Your Small Business Global with the SBA

The mission of SBA’s Office of International Trade is to enhance the ability of small businesses to compete in the global marketplace; facilitate access to capital to support international trade; ensure that the interests of small business are considered and reflected in trade negotiations; and support and contribute to the U.S. Government’s international agenda.

Check out this video which addresses whether your product has potential in an overseas market.

Small businesses can compete with larger companies in the global marketplace, learn what is necessary to tap into new overseas markets!

Click here to learn about resources and funding from the Office of Small Business Administration to help grow your small business!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

Advocacy Resource: John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Soul of the Community (SOTC) Study

Published: January 26, 2010Posted in: FEATURES 1, FOR PROFIT RESOURCES, NATIONAL NEWS, NEWS BULLETIN, NON PROFIT RESOURCES, RESOURCESTags: , , , ,
Advocacy Resource: John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Soul of the Community (SOTC) Study

Soul of the Community (SOTC) is a three-year study conducted by Gallup of the 26 John S. and James L. Knight Foundation communities across the United States employing a fresh approach to determine the factors that attach residents to their communities and the role of community attachment in an area’s economic growth and well-being. The study focuses on the emotional side of the connection between residents and their communities.

In its first year, the study compared residents’ attachment level to the GDP growth in the 26 communities over the past five years. The findings showed a significant correlation between community attachment and economic growth. The second year reinforced these findings, and found that nationwide economic troubles did not have a notable impact on attachment locally. In the final year of the study, researchers will analyze the connection between community attachment and economic growth, exploring whether attachment drives growth or vice-versa.

The results of the SOTC study identify new approaches to help create transformation and new possibilities for continued progress in Knight communities. Community leaders can use the study’s findings to maximize community strengths and address challenge areas to improve community attachment and increase economic growth. The relationship of community attachment to economic development has particular relevance beyond the current economic crisis as the study’s findings can help leaders make long-term and strategic choices about investing in areas that have the greatest impact on engaging the community.

Gallup interviewed a random, representative sample of 400 adults (age 18+) in each of the 26 Knight communities – nearly 14,000 people each year. The surveys were conducted in English and Spanish. Data were weighted to reflect the known adult population by age, gender, race and ethnicity based on U.S. Census data. From the surveys, researchers identified 10 domains that were found to have varying levels of impact in driving community attachment:

  • Basic services – infrastructure supports (highways, housing and healthcare)
  • Economy
  • Safety
  • Leadership and elected officials
  • Aesthetics – physical beauty and green spaces
  • Education
  • Social offerings – opportunities for social interaction and citizen caring
  • Openness/welcomeness – how welcoming the community is to different people
  • Civic involvement – residents’ commitment to their community through voting or voluntarism
  • Social capital – social networks between residents
  • Social offerings is the most important driver of community-citizen attachment overall. Aesthetics and openness/welcomeness to others also have major influence on community-citizen attachment.

Click here to learn more about the Soul of the Community report!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

Americans for the Arts Releases National Arts Index

Published: January 26, 2010Posted in: FEATURES 1, NATIONAL NEWS, NEWS BULLETIN, NON PROFIT RESOURCES, RESOURCESTags: , , , ,
Americans for the Arts Releases National Arts Index

The National Arts Index is a highly distilled annual measure of the health and vitality of arts in the United States by using 76 equal weighted, national-level indicators of arts activity. This report covers an 11-year period, from 1998 to 2008.

Similar to reports such as The Conference Board’s tracking of consumer confidence, the Index views the arts as a dynamic system, using 2003 as a base year for all data, and provides reliable, comparable data over time. It is unique when compared to other arts data systems in its scope, the amount of data it presents, and its annual publication. There are many notable highlights from the report, such as a rise in demand for arts in education and expanding public participation in and consumption of the arts, all while the competitiveness of the arts is slipping and the subsidy model is struggling.

“We will make up the lost ground, but it is going to take several years. Based on past patterns, Americans for the Arts estimates an arts rebound to begin in 2011,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “For our part, we will dedicate 2010, which is our 50th anniversary, to strengthening the arts field by developing new business models for arts delivery that better suit an evolving industry as well as strengthening audience demand.”

“The current economic crisis offers a unique and important opportunity to begin a national conversation about the value of the arts—to us as individuals, communities, and a nation. We need to rethink a nonprofit arts sector that in many ways remains tethered to support models that have remained unchanged for a half century. Arts organizations need to find creative ways to engage their audiences, build on the public’s growing interest in personal creation, and stimulate audience demand,” said Arthur C. Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute and one of the project’s advisers.

Other key findings from the National Arts Index report include.

  • The National Arts Index fell 4.2 percentage points in 2008, reflecting losses in charitable giving and declining attendance at larger cultural institutions—even as the number of arts organizations grew.
  • The arts follow the nation’s business cycle—not surprising as the arts are composed of 100,000 nonprofit arts organizations and 600,000 more arts businesses, 2.24 million artists in the workforce, and count on billions of dollars in consumer spending. Based on past patterns, we estimate an arts rebound to begin in 2011.
  • Demand for the arts lags capacity. From 1998 and 2008, there was annual growth in capacity of the arts industries—a steady increase in the number of artists, arts businesses and nonprofit arts organizations, and arts-related employment.  Nonprofit arts organizations alone grew in number from 73,000 to 104,000 during this span of time. That one out of three failed to achieve a balanced budget even during the strongest economic years of this decade suggests that sustaining this capacity is a growing challenge.
  • How the public participates in and consumes the arts is expanding. The arts participation measure is on the increase.  Personal arts creation by the public is growing steadily (making art, playing music). Attendance at mainstream nonprofit arts organizations, however, is in decline. Technology has also had an impact: 50 percent of music and CD stores have disappeared in the past five years, while the number of online downloads grown four-fold in just the past three years.
  • The subsidy model is struggling. Arts and culture continues to lose their market share of philanthropy to other charitable areas—a decline that began well before the current economic downturn.
  • Demand for arts in education is up. A growing percentage of college-bound high school seniors are getting four years of arts and music, even as other national studies point to a decline in arts education. College arts degrees conferred annually have increased from 75,000 to 120,000 in the past decade.
  • The competitiveness of the arts is slipping. Overall, the arts are not “stacking up” well against other uses of audience members’ time, donor and funder commitment, or spending when compared to non-arts sectors.

Click here to download and read the full report at  Americans for the Arts online!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

New York Foundation for the Arts

Published: January 11, 2010Posted in: FEATURES 1, RESOURCESTags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
New York Foundation for the Arts

The New York Foundation for the Arts’ mission is to empower artists at critical stages in their creative lives. NYFA offers resources for artists, art organizations, and those working in the arts related fields.

NYFA’s mission starts with individual artists in the visual, media, performing and literary arts. Their site offers access to a comprehensive list of resources for artists in the nation, including financial, educational, technological, and institutional resources and information such as  jobs in the arts, opportunities & services for artists, event Listings, learning workshops, business of art articles, information for for teaching artists, fellowships, fiscal sponsorships, and more.

NYFA’s Arts Advocacy section regularly provides up-to-date listings of select arts advocacy issues at the local, state, and federal levels. These listings are for current legislation efforts, which if approved will have a direct impact on artists and arts workers across the country.

NYFA also provides information on the management of small and mid-sized organizations that serve the needs of artists including resources for management assistance and fundraising on the web, marketing and public relations, as well as an annotated  list of nonprofit management & staffing resources list.

Click here to learn more!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

Massachusetts SBA Launches Small Business Economic Hotline

Published: December 28, 2009Posted in: FEATURES 1, FOR PROFIT RESOURCES, RESOURCESTags: , , , , , , ,
Massachusetts SBA Launches Small Business Economic Hotline

Small business owners worried about surviving the current economic upheaval have a place to call for free advice:  The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Massachusetts office at 617-565-5627 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Jitters about the stock market, the tightening of credit, and concerns about specific business problems voiced by small business owners, resulted in the creation of this first ever Small Business Economic Hotline.

SBA employees will listen to callers’ concerns and respond directly or refer calls to professional business counselors at the Massachusetts Small Business Development Centers, Center for Women and Enterprise or SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business, who volunteer to help entrepreneurs start, build and sustain their businesses.  SBA will make every effort to respond to calls within the same business day.   The advice is free and strictly confidential.
“Here in Massachusetts, the SBA is taking this proactive step.  We want small business owners in the state to know that we are a resource for them and we stand ready to field questions and to hear concerns.  In addition to SBA resources and SBA partner resources, the SBA is able to make referrals to other state or community resources around the state to help small businesses navigate and get the answers they need,” said Bob Nelson, Massachusetts District Director.

Click here to learn more about resources from the the Massachusetts branch of Small Business Administration!

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