Take a look at a new report on the value of contemporary visual arts in places away from urban conurbations. 

This evaluation study was commissioned by North by NorthWest, a consortium of 12 publicly funded visual arts organisations who support, promote and develop the contemporary visual arts in Lancashire and Cumbria. 

In a difficult economic climate, the intention of this study is to demonstrate to stakeholders the value of art; to provide decision makers with the evidence they need to continue to support and invest in the contemporary visual arts. 

What good does art do us anyway and is it good value for money?

The report makes a compelling case for supporting and exploiting the impact of the contemporary visual arts and the case is illustrated by the Why Art Works benefits model, which identifies 10 key benefits categorised into three thematic areas:

Placemaking

1. Creating better communities to live in

2. Changing the way places look

3. Changing perceptions of places

Economic Value

4. Attracting and retaining talent, trade and investment

5. Attracting higher value tourists

6. Stimulating a creative economy

Engaging and connecting communities

7. Connecting communities to the world (and vice versa)

8. Engaging communities with other agendas

9. Changing the way people think, see and act

10. Creating art for its own intrinsic worth

All ten benefits are supported by case studies from member organisations demonstrating how they present imaginative, inspiring programmes that deliver multiple, measurable benefits and a solid return on investment….find out more

http://www.harrismuseum.org.uk/images/stories/PDF/why_art_works.pdf

Art matters, it makes us who we are.