Press Release - April 14, 2006 - A Source of Economic Growth
Newly Recognized as a Source of Economic Growth, Artists Have Been Encouraged by Brookline Arts Center for Four Decades
"We don't want artists to starve: we want them to be able to develop their careers and live from their work." So says Mim Berliner, founder and past Executive Director of the Brookline Arts Center, where she is now a board member. "The Arts Center helps them in their career, as well as being a place where they can share their creativity and love of what they do."
When the Brookline Arts Center was founded in 1964, the founders hired professional artists to teach in its classes. Not only do professional artists bring unique skills, but also the teaching job helps the artists to make a living from their talent. The founders' plan anticipated the newest ideas about the importance of creative workers -- what economist Richard Florida has called "the creative economy" -- as a base for economic vitality. And, according to Brookline Arts Center Executive Director Susan Navarre, "the Brookline Arts Center works hard to help local artists flourish."
"Each year, the Brookline Arts Center pays nearly $200,000 to working artists. They teach here, they sell their art in our gallery and at our fundraisers, and they receive grant funding with our help. Many successful artists in Boston and New York have been linked to the Brookline Arts Center at some time during the last 42 years," says Navarre.
According to Marge Amster, Economic Development Director for the Town of Brookline, "Even using the US Department of Commerce's conservative economic multiplier of 2.01 to measure the effect of expenditures by nonprofit arts organizations, the Brookline Arts Center makes a significant difference to our local economy. And that doesn't count the direct positive effect on the quality of life from a vibrant arts community."
The faculty of the Brookline Arts Center is currently composed of 35 working artists. In addition, hundreds of area artists have signed up for alerts about the Arts Center's gallery exhibitions, photo salons, art classes and other educational visual arts activities. The events serve as a place for artists to meet each other, and to develop their skills and their network. They may even meet potential art collectors.
The Brookline Arts Center is supported by individual, corporate and foundation donors. The BAC's next major fundraising event on Thursday, April 27, 2006 was announced by Board President Lenore Sempert. The Make a Night of It! for the Brookline Arts Center cabaret evening will feature Debra Mann and Dane Vannatter performing the songs of the exciting new Brookline composer Harriet Goldberg. Tickets for this special event at Club Longwood are $100 and available by calling 617-566-5715.
For more information, visit www.brooklineartscenter.com or email bac@brooklineartscenter.com.