| Scope This year’s study focuses on the investment in arts and cultural institutions by state and federal governments, local government investment in public libraries and the number of arts, music and theater graduates from institutions of higher education in the region. In future years, the authors plan to include indicators related to recreation as well as to sporting events, city festivals and major cultural events. For a broader look at future considerations, see the “Missing and Future Indicators” section in this report. Regional Context Historically, arts, recreation and cultural life have played an important role in the lives of regional residents, even if public funding of such activities has varied greatly from town to town and county to county. While the urban center of the region, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, has developed the largest cadre of institutions over time, many small towns and rural areas have deep cultural roots that continue to affect life in the region. Examples include the making of pottery and furniture in the Catawba Valley, the importance of bluegrass and other traditional music in many regional locales, and the popularity of community baseball and softball leagues going back 100 years. The region is home to the oldest art museum in the state. The Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte opened to the public during the Great Depression, on October 22, 1936. Theatre Charlotte is celebrating its 80th anniversary with the 2007-08 season, and the Charlotte Symphony is recognizing its 75th anniversary in 2007. Given the longevity of such organizations, it’s not surprising that Charlotte-Mecklenburg emerged over the last 30 years as the arts and cultural hub for the region. While many counties struggle to underwrite arts activities, Charlotte-Mecklenburg has the highest per capita giving to a united fund drive in the United States. It also has the highest per capita public investment in arts and culture in North Carolina. Currently, Charlotte-Mecklenburg is investing more than $300 million in public funding of capital projects for arts and culture. But notable activities are occurring outside the urban core as well. The Hickory Museum of Art is the second-oldest art museum in the state, founded in 1943. It preceded the North Carolina Museum of Art, which opened in 1946. Shelby is trying to leverage heritage and culture as a major economic development tool. The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Gaston County is becoming known as one of the finest botanical gardens in the Southeast. Unity Place, also in Gaston County, houses one of the county’s oldest African-American religious communities and is a hub for arts throughout the county. Salisbury, long a supporter of historic preservation and the arts, is developing a new cultural action plan, while Hickory’s Catawba Science Center has a new planetarium and aquarium. Among sporting events, many college and high school teams have fan followings that date back to the first half of the 20th century. Pro sports are a newer phenomenon in the region, with two major stock-car races each year in Concord, short-track races there and in Hickory and NFL football and NBA basketball teams based in Charlotte. Charlotte will also be home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame (currently under construction) and annually hosts a stop on the men’s pro golf tour. The expansion of arts, recreation and cultural activities has paralleled the growth of the region. Many new residents, especially over the last 20 years, have come from areas rich in such pursuits. They expect a diversity of high-quality offerings close to where they live. Organizations have responded to this impetus — as well as to the interests of many longtime residents — by providing more plays, concerts, performances, exhibits, games, tournaments, etc. than the region has ever offered.
Summary of Indicator Results
On the three areas examined, the region is faring well. The region saw a rise in per capita expenditures (from state and federal grants) on arts and cultural activities from 2005 to 2006. The strength of this regional indicator shows that state and federal governments recognize the importance of cultural offerings to a healthy and vibrant region. With investments in public libraries, the study found that the region is holding its own in the face of population increases. Not only is per capita spending on printed library materials keeping pace with growth, but so is spending on facilities and staff. These investments help ensure that regional residents who otherwise would not have access to literature, arts, reference works and periodicals can obtain such materials. In looking at graduates in art, music and theater from regional institutions of higher education, the study found an increase in numbers each year from 2002 through 2005. Beyond reflecting a growing demand for these degrees, the upward trend adds to the cultural life of the region. Many of these graduates will stay in the area, giving the region more people who appreciate and understand the importance of the arts. The graduates also provide the region with more talent and growth potential for arts and cultural institutions.
Missing and Future Indicators
A lack of good data sources precluded information in this year’s report on parks and recreation, recreation acreage per capita and private investment (per capita) in parks and recreation, arts and culture and libraries. Data were also unavailable for tracking attendance and other aspects of major cultural events, city festivals and celebrations and sporting events. Figures for the number of federal and state historic preservation tax-credit projects and dollar amounts available to such projects were not available on a yearly basis for this report, but may be available in the future. In future reports, the authors want to add an indicator addressing local governments’ funding of the arts and culture, recreation and historic preservation. The authors would also like to measure electronic holdings of the region’s libraries.
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