Can the arts stimulate community development?

Andriana Abariotes, executive director of Twin Cities Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and Laura Zabel, executive director of Knight arts grantee Springboard for the Arts, recently argued yes in the MinnPost. Click here to read the complete article and scroll below for an excerpt.

“Right here in the Twin Cities, we’re sitting on a mountain of underused community-development assets. The arts. The power of art goes far beyond audience appreciation. We have the opportunity to marshal our impressive creative capital to transform neighborhoods and fuel our region’s economy. Don’t forget — neighborhoods are the spark plugs for the whole region. If they’re all firing, the regional economic engine can roar ahead…”

Juxtaposition Arts in North Minneapolis prepares youth for arts-related careers while creating neighborhood murals and selling real (and fun) design products. Photo courtesy of MinnPost