What is arts-driven economic development?
Portico Market, downtown Asheville.
Photo courtesy of Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce.
One broad definition is that these are communities that use their arts and cultural assets to revitalize neighborhoods and downtowns, instill a strong sense of place and pride in residents, attract creative workers and cultural travelers, and create sustainable economic development. An even broader definition might be that these are communities engaged in arts driven economic development.
In North Carolina, we are fortunate to have many excellent examples of these efforts in many parts of our state — and in small towns and cities.
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