Opportunities for New Jersey arts in a cloudy economy
Unless you're heavily in the stock market, the economic headlines haven' shown much good news over the past few months. But a closer look shows some positive signs that offer good opportunities for the arts.
(We'll go through the math first, then answer the "so what" questions.)
The United States lost 95,000 jobs in September 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Most of that was in government services. The total number of jobs in the United States between September 2009 and 2010 is about the same: (129.9 million in 2009 compared to 130.2 million in 2010*)
The leisure and hospitality industry, where the arts are counted, tell a different story.
Between September 2009 and September 2010, there has been growth in performing arts and spectator sports. The number of employees in these organizations grew 5.8%, from 401.3 thousand to 424.8 thousand. Around the same time, the number of people working in the arts, entertainment and recreation field in New Jersey grew 5.5%, from 53.3 thousand to 58.9 thousand. (The Jersey numbers are from August 09 to August 10. The information is from the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development). In an earlier post, I wrote that wages among independent writers, performers and artists and in the performing arts in New Jersey were better than they were in 2006.
The specific numbers aren't as important as the trends. But hold on to the numbers for when you're trying to persuade elected officials, business people and investors.
What does this tell us?
1. That more money is being spent for entertainment and cultural activities. How much is being spent for each? Hard to know, but it's not mission-critical information. There are lot of people who enjoy sports, recreation and cultural activities.
2. Businesses and organizations in arts, entertainment and recreation may be more confident. Usually, organizations and firms hire people when they believe they will have enough money to pay them.
More money is also being spent on hotels, restaurants and drinking establishments. Across the country, employment in these businesses grew from 11.16 million in September 2009 to 11.24 million in September 2010, an increase of 83.3 thousand (.7%).
Why is this happening?
Since 2001, and especially in the last few years, more Americans have been taking shorter trips. The week in Europe in some cases is being replaced by a few weekend trips, or multiple daytrips. People making these choices are looking for new experiences. (They're creative people; they get bored doing the same thing over and over again.) That helps explain why places like Frenchtown, New Brunswick, Millville and Asbury Park are becoming go-to places for cultural visitors.
While New Jersey doesn't have the mystical qualities or 'holy cow' natural features of New Mexico or northern Arizona, or the cool mountain chic of western North Carolina, we have more diversity than either of those places. That means that Jersey communities can offer a lot of different experiences close by.
So what should you do with this information?
Everybody from the state to the local level should be helping make New Jersey a better place to visit and stay in for the arts. Discover Jersey Arts is leading this information statewide. They -- and you -- can benefit by supporting their work, especially if you're in the arts.
(We'll go through the math first, then answer the "so what" questions.)
The United States lost 95,000 jobs in September 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Most of that was in government services. The total number of jobs in the United States between September 2009 and 2010 is about the same: (129.9 million in 2009 compared to 130.2 million in 2010*)
The leisure and hospitality industry, where the arts are counted, tell a different story.
Between September 2009 and September 2010, there has been growth in performing arts and spectator sports. The number of employees in these organizations grew 5.8%, from 401.3 thousand to 424.8 thousand. Around the same time, the number of people working in the arts, entertainment and recreation field in New Jersey grew 5.5%, from 53.3 thousand to 58.9 thousand. (The Jersey numbers are from August 09 to August 10. The information is from the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development). In an earlier post, I wrote that wages among independent writers, performers and artists and in the performing arts in New Jersey were better than they were in 2006.
The specific numbers aren't as important as the trends. But hold on to the numbers for when you're trying to persuade elected officials, business people and investors.
What does this tell us?
1. That more money is being spent for entertainment and cultural activities. How much is being spent for each? Hard to know, but it's not mission-critical information. There are lot of people who enjoy sports, recreation and cultural activities.
2. Businesses and organizations in arts, entertainment and recreation may be more confident. Usually, organizations and firms hire people when they believe they will have enough money to pay them.
More money is also being spent on hotels, restaurants and drinking establishments. Across the country, employment in these businesses grew from 11.16 million in September 2009 to 11.24 million in September 2010, an increase of 83.3 thousand (.7%).
Why is this happening?
Since 2001, and especially in the last few years, more Americans have been taking shorter trips. The week in Europe in some cases is being replaced by a few weekend trips, or multiple daytrips. People making these choices are looking for new experiences. (They're creative people; they get bored doing the same thing over and over again.) That helps explain why places like Frenchtown, New Brunswick, Millville and Asbury Park are becoming go-to places for cultural visitors.
While New Jersey doesn't have the mystical qualities or 'holy cow' natural features of New Mexico or northern Arizona, or the cool mountain chic of western North Carolina, we have more diversity than either of those places. That means that Jersey communities can offer a lot of different experiences close by.
So what should you do with this information?
- If you're in the arts, let officials and business leaders in your community know that you're part of a growing industry.
- If you're an elected or appointed official who wants to support the arts, here are some good talking points for the next Chamber of Commerce meeting or sit-down with developers.
- If you're a developer or restaurateur, or are in the hospitality field, connect to local arts organizations, such as arts councils, or county offices of cultural and heritage affairs. (Every county in New Jersey has one). Most economic impact studies of the arts find that people tend to spend between between $10 and $40 per person above and beyond a ticket price. The closer you are to the arts district or the performing arts center, the more likely you are to get the types of customers and guests who can afford to go out to cultural events.
Everybody from the state to the local level should be helping make New Jersey a better place to visit and stay in for the arts. Discover Jersey Arts is leading this information statewide. They -- and you -- can benefit by supporting their work, especially if you're in the arts.
Arts Build Communities helps leaders of New Jersey's communities and cultural organizations make more informed decisions to promote sustainability and prosperity through the arts. ABC offers research, continuing education and technical assistance. Learn more...
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