The Boston Phoenix has an interesting story on Somerville, Massachusetts, a formerly downtrodden suburb of Boston that has begun to rebuild its vitality and community in part through efforts in the arts. Much of the credit in the story goes to the city’s local cultural council (LCC):
With a growing number of communities captivated by Richard Florida’s Rise of the Creative Class and its emphasis on attracting the creative workforce, it’s nice to have an example from the community-building side of the argument.
In both cases, however, vibrant communities are the residue of cultural engagement, not the purpose…they are the footprints, not the giant. It’s easy to forget that in our quest for vital neighborhoods, thriving economies, and entrepreneurial havens of creatives, the arts are not a tool to wield like a hammer. They, instead, require a focus on the creation itself, and the engagement of individuals in that creation.
The result may be better communities and better environments for business, but that’s not why great art exists. It’s just something it leaves behind.
