Largest Public Art Project in Jville History Needs You

[Bill Hoff]

^haha would you like to receive your 50 cents back in the form of a check or coins? This mentality is why Jax doesn't have nice things.

Don't worry, I'll cover his portion.

[ProjectMaximus]

I am amazed, or maybe not, that no one questions shelling out just short of $1M of the taxpayers' money for ART. Not a necessary building, or salaries, but ART. This is why many of us have ZERO faith in Government. Because all Big Government knows how to do is spend lots of taxpayer dollars on totally unnecessary things. You are taking money from taxpayers for this? Give the money back and it will be better served.

In terms or ROI, not sure there is any better way to spend the money, actually.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=545431

Report says arts bring $2.4B economic impact to area
Wednesday, May 13, 10:57 AM EDT
By Max Marbut, Staff Writer

According to the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, the economic impact of $2.4 million in grants to arts and cultural organizations in 2014 yielded a return on investment of $70 million.
That’s a nearly 20 percent increase compared to grants awarded in 2013, the group said.

Each year since 2009, the city has supported arts and culture by providing partial funding to nonprofits through the Cultural Service Grant program. For the past two years, the city has budgeted $2.4 million for that effort.

Tony Allegretti, Cultural Council executive director, said in a news release the $12 million growth in economic impact, even though the 2014 program funding was the same as 2013, proves the city’s investment is working.

He also said part of the growth may be attributed to the continuing improvement in the economy, which allows people to have more disposable income.

“I think the major reason is the general economic comeback,” Allegretti said.

The Cultural Council also released the results of an analysis of the economic impact of the creative industry in seven North Florida counties.

Combining jobs and sales generated by the creative sector in Duval, Baker, Clay, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties, the analysis concludes there is a $2.4 billion annual economic impact in those counties.

Allegretti said the counties were chosen to mirror the geographical area analyzed by the JAXUSA Partnership, the economic development arm of the JAX Chamber.

The assessment shows nearly 27,000 creative-related jobs and that from 2010 to 2013, industry jobs grew by 6 percent in the region.

The largest job growth — 32.1 percent — was in the sound engineer category.

Photographers represent the most common creative occupation with 3,271 jobs. Other jobs in the top five are singers and musicians, 2,540 jobs; authors and writers, 1,999; graphic designers, 1,638; and advertising sales agents, 1,114.

The Cultural Council administers the city’s annual financial contribution to the arts and leads the advocacy effort to demonstrate the impact and value of culture in the community. The nonprofit organization is sponsored in part by the Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture and the city.

mmarbut@jaxdailyrecord.com

[mtraininjax]

I am amazed, or maybe not, that no one questions shelling out just short of $1M of the taxpayers' money for ART.

That could go a long way to help with the Library budgets, after all, do we want kids reading and using Libraries or do we want the homeless to have a prettier park to sleep in?

[jph]

I am amazed, or maybe not, that no one questions shelling out just short of $1M of the taxpayers' money for ART.

That could go a long way to help with the Library budgets, after all, do we want kids reading and using Libraries or do we want the homeless to have a prettier park to sleep in?

N-no! The homeless might benefit, along with everyone else who has to go to the courthouse!?!?!? How fast can this project be shut down?

[Noone]

How will the 7/1/15 filing by Chief Judge Mark Mahon effect the largest Public Art Project in Jville History?

[Andy]

I am amazed, or maybe not, that no one questions shelling out just short of $1M of the taxpayers' money for ART.

That could go a long way to help with the Library budgets, after all, do we want kids reading and using Libraries or do we want the homeless to have a prettier park to sleep in?

Art increases a city's value, which could lead to help for libraries and the homeless and a dozen other things in the future. Art and culture are a major consideration in what makes people visit, relocate and spend money in a city. It's an investment towards growth. Nobody is moving to a city for it's happenin' Library scene.

[IrvAdams]

I am amazed, or maybe not, that no one questions shelling out just short of $1M of the taxpayers' money for ART.

That could go a long way to help with the Library budgets, after all, do we want kids reading and using Libraries or do we want the homeless to have a prettier park to sleep in?

Art increases a city's value, which could lead to help for libraries and the homeless and a dozen other things in the future. Art and culture are a major consideration in what makes people visit, relocate and spend money in a city. It's an investment towards growth. Nobody is moving to a city for it's happenin' Library scene.

Exactly, Andy. I am surprised people would have to be convinced of the value of art. Some of its many benefits are economic, visual, intellectual and that it helps define a sense of place.