New Engines of Economic Growth – Five Roles for Arts, Culture and Design

With concerns over job creation and business growth holding a prominent–and
persistent–position on policy agendas today, governors are increasingly calling on
state agencies to support economic growth.

It’s not just economic and workforce
development agencies that governors want on the case. Some governors are including state
arts agencies in this all-hands-on-deck approach and are putting in place policies and programs
using arts, culture, and design as a means to enhance economic growth.

This report focuses on the role that arts, culture, and design can play in assisting states as they
seek to create jobs and boost their economies in the short run and transition to an innovation based
economy in the long run.

In particular, arts, culture, and design can assist states with economic growth because they can:

1. Provide a fast-growth, dynamic industry cluster;

2. Help mature industries become more competitive;

3. Provide the critical ingredients for innovative places;

4. Catalyze community revitalization; and

5. Deliver a better-prepared workforce.

Globalization and the changing economy have affected individual states differently, but all
are searching for ways to support high-growth industries, accelerate innovation, foster
entrepreneurial activity, address unemployment, build human capital, and revive distressed
areas. Using the five roles as a framework, state leaders–governors, economic development
officials, and state arts agencies–have a way to intentionally and strategically make arts,
culture, and design an important part of an economic growth agenda.

States have already
undertaken initiatives that are highly relevant to that agenda. Grouping them by the five roles
listed above, this report explores some of their most promising efforts.

Western Governor’s Association

Full Report: http://www.nga.org/files/live/sites/NGA/files/pdf/1204NEWENGINESOFGROWTH.PDF