GREENSBORO - Cultural Resources Secretary Linda A. Carlisle spoke to the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro on Thursday, Feb. 5. In her remarks, which contained an update on the economic environment for arts and culture in these challenging economic times, the Secretary also shared some facts and figures of interest to Greensboro and Guilford County, including:
-
The creative economy makes up 4% of the state’s workforce, people with wages of $3.9 billion who contribute financially to their communities.
-
Greensboro can be one of the leading lights in the new economy and is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the movement ahead, especially as civic leaders look to place-based economic development to stimulate growth.
-
Greensboro has reinvented itself, with a sparkling and innovative new children’s museum and the exciting Triad stage as just two of the many well known examples.
-
The presence of creative workers in Guilford County, as elsewhere in North Carolina, is strongly associated with rising household income. Creative workers bring public assets that are important to civic life, to recruit and retain business, and grow jobs. In fact, the presence of creative workers is the single most important factor associated with the amount visitors will spend in area, according to a recent study from the North Carolina Arts Council.
-
Cultural travelers, who will stay longer and spend about twice as much as twice as regular travelers, look for authentic experiences that can put them in touch with the real character of a place.
-
The arts in Guilford are a powerful draw. Spending by non resident audiences is about three times that of residents.
-
Guilford County boasts 324 properties on the National Register, and has an amazing 49 historic districts – more districts than Forsyth, Durham or Mecklenberg counties.
Carlisle was named last month by Gov. Bev Perdue to head the Department of Cultural Resources. Carlisle has oversight for all state arts and cultural agencies, including the N.C. Symphony, the State Library, 7 history museums, the N.C. Museum of Art, 27 state Historic Sites, and the N.C. Arts Council.