People gather for a “Soul Train”-style dance line for Rock the Block party under the Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on Aug. 26, 2023.
The Republic file photo
The Republic writes a lot in our editorial space about how Columbus punches above its weight class in the arts, architecture and livability factors that can be vital in attracting and retaining people and organizations that prize such amenities.
And the fact is, we write about these things often because Columbus and our region make a lot of news in these areas, whether it’s as a result of our world-class collection of Modernist architecture, ambitious programs like Exhibit Columbus, or inventive programs that involve youth in artistic educational experiences and the performing artists.
Just last week, we had another artsy news item. The Republic’s Brian Blair reported that Columbus was rated as the sixth-best American small-town arts scene in the 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards. Towns were nominated by an expert panel of travel writers, and the public voted on the communities. Sharing Hoosier bragging rights in the top 10 were nearby Bloomington, which ranked No. 8, and Nashville, which ranked 10th.
Columbus’ recognition came in competition with some lofty arts communities. Other cities in the Newsweek Top 10 list included Taos, New Mexico; Cody, Wyoming; St. Augustine, Florida; and the city ranked No. 1, Berea, Kentucky, which is regarded as perhaps the nation’s most concentrated community of traditional artisans.
By now it’s well understood that the arts are not just important to the life of a community, but they also are an economic driver. The national Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 study released last fall by the nonprofit Americans for the Arts reported that the nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $151.7 billion of economic activity in 2022 — $73.3 billion in spending by arts and culture organizations and an additional $78.4 billion in event-related expenditures by their audiences.
This supported 2.6 million jobs in the arts, provided $101 billion in personal income to residents, and generated $29.1 billion in tax revenue to local, state, and federal governments.
Naturally, there are plenty of businesses that have a larger economic impact than the arts. Few, however, can match the arts’ capacity to build community. The arts fulfill our human longing for expression, connection and creativity that, at their best, can be profound and even transcendent.
“Those of us who call Columbus home know how fortunate we are to have many opportunities to enjoy the arts in this community,” said Erin Hawkins, marketing director for the Columbus Area Visitors Center and a former president of the board of the Columbus Area Arts Council. “And visitors are blown away by our abundant collection of public art and the caliber of our performing arts offerings.”
Word has gotten out: We have a vibrant and inviting arts scene here in Columbus — one of the best in America for a city our size. That neighboring Nashville and Bloomington also made this list might spur interest among arts leaders in each of these communities in exploring initiatives to promote wider Southern Indiana’s regional arts scene.
For now, though, to all those who strive to make Columbus a great arts community, and to the patrons who support the arts locally, take a bow.
