The Creative Economy
The arts nourish our souls and are essential to the quality of our lives. Calling ourselves The City of Arts and Innovation speaks to our collective commitment and serves as a constant reminder that promoting the arts in our community requires a strong and continuing public-private partnership. The Arts Council believes the arts, in fact, are for everyone, beginning with our children and continuing throughout lifetimes.
In the past seven years, the arts industry in Forsyth County has grown significantly, from a $77 million industry in 2000 to a $104 million industry today. More than 3,800 full-time equivalent jobs have been created in the arts, up from 2,700 in 2000.
The arts are vital to our economy. More than two million people attended arts and cultural events last year. Our arts industry generates $10 million in local and state government revenue and contributes $56 million in annual spending. Our hotels, retail operations and restaurants earn an additional $48 million annually from arts and culture patrons. Our local corporations also are able to recruit and retain educated, high-caliber employees because arts and culture make our area a desirable place to live and raise families.
You Can Invest In The Creative Economy
$1 A Week
your contribution can:
- Purchase scholarship tickets for four disadvantaged children to attend an in-school concert by the Winston-Salem Symphony.
- Purchase 200 pounds of clay for pottery classes at the Sawtooth School.
- Provide tuition money for one student to attend a summer arts camp.
- Sponsor two student artists (high school or college) to be Associated Artist members, helping them gain exposure to the professional artist community.
$5 A Week
your contribution can:
- Allow three artists to demonstrate their work at Piedmont Craftsmen’s Annual Fair.
- Underwrite sheet music costs for the Piedmont Wind Symphony.
- Furnish materials for the “Tree of Life” project taken to public schools by members of the Hispanic Arts Initiative to teach about multicultural communities.
- Sponsor a young boy or girl’s membership in the Winston-Salem Youth Residential Chorus for an entire year.
$10 A Week
your contribution can:
- Underwrite the annual spring show by the Kernersville Little Theatre.
- Support Old Salem Museums and Gardens operating costs through your sustaining membership as a “Friend of Salem.”
- Provide five costumes for a Piedmont Opera stage production.
- Support a talented high-school or college student in being a“Choral Scholar” with the Piedmont Chamber Singers.
$20 A Week
your contribution can:
- Sponsor an exhibition at the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art.
- Help provide in-school workshops in photography and music for elementary, middle- and high-school students.
- Be a “star” season sponsor for a Twin City Stage production.
- Provide tickets for 25 disadvantaged students to attend the biannual National Black Theatre Festival, taking place in Winston-Salem in 2011.
