Talking points for connecting the arts and sustainability

Two big trends in urban placebuilding today are arts-based planning and sustainability.  Here are some talking points to help leaders and community understand how they connect.

But first, let’s get on the same page: “The arts” and “sustainability” are two of the most vague concepts in placebuilding. If your audience thinks the arts are just a bunch of weird stuff that only rich people enjoy, or that sustainability is about protecting every blade of grass, you’re not going to have much luck trying to promote either idea.

—  The arts are all activities related to the creation, distribution or consumption of products or experiences that are valued for their aesthetic qualities.  In other words, if someone is willing to pay more for some object or experience because of how it looks or makes them feel, that “thing” is some form of art.  That means that the opera and the classic car show are both artistic experiences.

—  Sustainability is a set of practices by people or groups designed to promote the long-term sharing of resources with future generations.  This includes reducing demands on the environment, promoting economic opportunity, and increasing social equity.  (Remember the 3 E’s of sustainability: Environment, economy and equity.)  If you run into a deep ecologist just wants to focus on environmental protection, let them know people decide whether to go or stay green.  If you don’t take care of people and you don’t enhance quality of life, they’re not going to be too worried about protecting trees.

(Presentation tip: Show a pie chart or triangle to show the relationships among the 3 E’s.)

How the arts (and artists) can contribute to local economies

—  The arts attract wealth (arts patrons, visitors, theater-goers, etc.). Wealth attracts businesses;  businesses attract more wealth, and so on and so on in a virtuous circle. (Presentation tip: Show a flow chart or one of those diagrams with the big arrows running in a circle.)

—  The arts help to diversify the business and employment mix.

—  Artists contribute their skills to many businesses outside the arts.

—  More of the money spent in arts establishments is likely to stay in the local economy, compared to the money spent in chain stores, franchises and the Internet.  (For more on this, read Ann Markusen’s work on the artistic dividend.)

—  The arts are part of place-based experience economies, so artists tend to be involved with local economic revitalization efforts.

—  Creativity is critical to industries that rely on innovation, such as biotechnology and other knowledge economy businesses.

How the arts (and artists) can contribute to the environment

(Note: Art tends to be neutral regarding the environment, but artists have a long history of being connected to the natural world.)

—  Visual artists, such as landscape painters, draw inspiration from local environments.

—  Artists are more likely to be involved in preservation efforts.

—  Artists are more likely to reclaim abandoned and blighted spaces, reducing construction waste.

—  More architects and urban designers are promoting “green” building and design.

—  Visual artists, such as landscape painters, draw inspiration from local environments.

—  Artists are more likely to be involved in preservation efforts.

—  Artists are more likely to reclaim abandoned and blighted spaces, reducing construction waste.

—  More architects and urban designers are promoting “green” building and design.

(Presentation tip: Use an image that shows artists working with children in a ‘green’ project.)

How the arts (and artists) contribute to equity

—  Art provides a safe and inviting bridge for people to learn about other cultures.

—  Art gives people who feel discriminated against a productive way to express themselves.

—  Artists are often involved in revitalization efforts in their communities.

—  The arts can provide job opportunities to people without advanced degrees.  (Ok, it’s probably not a lot of jobs, but it helps.)

How communities can better connect the arts and sustainability

—  Bring arts and sustainability leaders together.

—  Identify current and potential connections between the arts and sustainability initiatives.

—  Create a local cultural plan with a sustainability focus. Try to get it attached to the community’s master plan.

—  Work on short-term and highly visible projects to highlight the connections.

—  Develop a leadership group committed to promoting the arts and sustainability.  Build the group to include all parts of the community.

—  Try more. Learn from your mistakes. Create new solutions. Update your plan. Build more leaders.  Repeat.

--Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP 

Rutgers University's Arts Build Communities provides research, continuing education and technical assistance in the arts and community and economic development.  Learn more...