You’re invited to take part in this story. Read the following scenario and see if you know what in the neighborhood our characters, Art and Madge Ination, are talking about. Answers are found below.
Madge: Oh, Art…how about catching dinner and some live theater this weekend?1
Art: Sounds great, especially since everything’s so close, parking is free, the show will be great and dinner will be served by local folks who know and love this neighborhood.2 And speaking of the neighborhood, remember you promised you’d ask our new neighbors to come with us to the opening for the new art exhibit on the corner of 44th and Penn.3
Art: I’ve already asked, and they’re looking forward to joining us on Friday night. And remember, too, that we’re picking up the grandkids and going to the Saturday afternoon music concert4 just down the block.
Madge: I’m so glad both of our grandchildren like music…but I think Hammy is showing more of an affinity for acting.
Art: Oh, I agree. And you know, he’s a guy that would really get into that kids’ theater camp they’re offering this summer down by the river.5
Madge: Well, we’ll have to check it out with the kids, who, by the way, have several friends who are exhibiting their work in that terrific art party this spring.6
Art: Hey, that’s the weekend after the neighborhood garage sales, isn’t it?7 Oh, man, I just remembered I was supposed to call and see if the Jazzmobile 8 can swing through our alley during the sale. I think it’d beef up our garage sale business.
Madge: Art, the arts are just plain good for business – and our neighborhood – aren’t they?
…Their conversation drifts off into the background, as the narrator continues...
Yes, the arts are helping to build up our own community, just as two recent arts economic impact studies make the case for the value of the arts and artists statewide.9
For example, between Minnesota’s individual artists, arts and culture organizations and for-profit arts industries, Minnesota benefits from well over $1billion in annual arts economic activity. That $1 billion in arts economic activity supports over 86,000 jobs in the state and brings in $118 million in state and local government revenue.
These surveys are statistical evidence that Minnesota’s arts industries are driving forces in the state’s economy. The arts can be a driving economic force for our neighborhoods as well. Art and Madge’s experience is just a small example of the positive story we can begin to tell.
What can you do to keep the story going? For starters, attend and support neighborhood artists, artistic ventures and events. Support your school’s arts programs. Dine and shop locally. And use your imagination to think about what’s possible.
The interactive arts story answers:
1 Camden’s own live theater company, The Workhouse Theatre, 612-529-2584, www.workhousetheatre.org, info@workhousetheatre.org.
2 Eat locally: There are lots of places to dine and drink in Camden including: Camden Coffee, Camden Dairy Queen,Top Diner, Emily’s F&M Café, Joy Luck Restaurant, Papa’s Pizza and Pasta, Rix, Steamworks, Tooties on Lowry.3 The Warren, An Artist Habitat, 612-703-9609, www.thewarrenhabitat.com, thewarrenhabitat@comcast.net.
4 Second Saturdays concert series at Camden Music School; every second Saturday of every month, 3 p.m., free. 612-618-0219, www.camdenmusicschool.com, info@camdenmusic.org.
5 Act Out, a week-long summer camp presented by the Workhouse Theatre Company and naturalists from Three Rivers Park District; 763-559-6700. http://www.threeriversparkdistrict.org/outdoor_ed/daycamps.cfm.
6 Spring Art Party, Saturday, June 9, North Commons Park, sponsored by the Northside Arts Collective, 612-643-2050 www.nacarts.org. nacarts@earthlink.net. 60% of people surveyed at last year’s Spring Art Party said they had an improved perception of the Northside after attending.
7 Garage sales throughout Camden neighborhoods, Saturday, June 2. Check your neighborhood organization for info - see Camden News pages 8-9.
8 Camden Music School’s Jazzmobile travels throughout the neighborhoods during the garage sale. Call 612-618-0219 to have it swing by your sale.
9 Minnesota arts economic impact surveys published at www.mncitizensforthearts.org. Or call 651-251-0868.