Deb Brown

Hi there ,

You are building community and learning how to involve more people in that process. A strong community invites many folks to come to the table. Businesses, nonprofits, civic institutions, and people! Today, I’m sharing about how artists are in that last category. And why they matter.

We're less than one month away from Choose Indie Art Month! AMIBA and Lowcountry Local First in South Carolina are celebrating in October, and you can join in.

Why should communities celebrate the arts and artists?  LowCountry Local shared that artists contribute significantly to our local economies in many ways. This is all a part of becoming a strong community. 

A few ways include:

1.   Job creation: They hire people for support and management, and they support our retailers, hospitals, service businesses, and more.

2.   Artists shape the cultural identity of a place. Culture looks different these days, and travelers are seeking that unique cultural experience. Those visitors spend money on food, accommodations, gas, and the like.

3.   Arts organizations and venues: Artists need spaces to show their work and sell their work. And they are looking for something different. Your sculpture artist could partner with the local welding shop and share a space. The musician can perform in your parks, at events, and the like.

4.   Innovation and entrepreneurship: They contribute to local economies by driving innovation, inspiring entrepreneurship, and encouraging creative thinking across different sectors. They are your entrepreneurs!

Doesn't every town need its own alligator? Photo courtesy of Legacy Learning Boone River Valley - the work of a face painter at an eve

What’s one Idea Friendly way you can showcase local art in October? Try one of these four:

1.   Help decorate storefront windows for your retailers. Perhaps invite students along.

(Small step idea: post your work as you are doing it on social media.)

2.   Take care of the plants downtown. This is the time of year for switching out plants. What ideas do you have for the holidays? Meet with the garden club. Or call the city or chamber to see who typically handles the work.

(Small step idea: focus on just one planter.)

3.  Arrange a gallery showing. You probably have an empty space; see if you can use it for one weekend and invite various artists to come set up and showcase their work. Do you have an arts organization? I bet they’d know many artists in town.

(Small step idea: maybe add some art to a local retailer's front window.)

4.   Create a mural walking tour. And invite the community to attend the walking tour and take lots of pictures! Perhaps have a local photographer join you and give some easy tips.

(Small step idea: take your own pictures and post on social media.)

Art matters. For the economy, for the community and for our own well being.

Deb

Castle Rock, WA made great use of a chainlink fence to showcase local artwork. Photo by Lindsey Pope

Resources:

https://www.artsactionfund.org/10-reasons-support-arts-2025

https://www.artsactionfund.org/arts-advocacy-tools-resources

Choose Indie Art Month!

Lowcountry Local First

Feel free to reprint the articles from me and Becky! Please do give us proper accreditation (reprinted from Deb Brown or Becky McCray SaveYour.Town newsletter)