"Upstate's Creative Spark: Harnessing the Arts to Boost Economic Vitality in Cities Across New York State"
A Center for an Urban Future and Creatives Rebuild New York Policy Symposium

Replay of the event
Event materials

In recent years, arts and culture have been vital for economic revitalization in upstate cities from Albany and Syracuse to Buffalo and Rochester, creating jobs, transforming hard-hit downtowns, sparking small business growth, and even reversing years of population decline. Despite this, state funding for the arts has been limited, policymakers are only beginning to harness the arts for local economic development, and many working artists, arts organizations, and cultural venues face steep challenges.

This forum explored what’s needed to keep upstate’s creative spark going and bolster artists and cultural organizations in communities across upstate New York. Building on CUF's recently published report, Upstate's Creative Spark: How the Arts is Catalyzing Economic Vitality Across Upstate New York, the forum discussed the promising new proposal put forward in January by Governor Hochul to "Promote Economic Growth by Investing in the Arts,” and delved into ways arts leaders can work with state officials to ensure that this plan not only comes to fruition but is implemented in a way that is smart, sustainable, and equitable. It shined a light on innovative upstate programs and initiatives that deserve to continue and grow and identified other opportunities for state policymakers to strengthen communities by expanding support for both artists and arts and cultural organizations. 

Speakers included:

• State Senator Sean Ryan, Chair, Committee on Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business
• State Senator Jose M. Serrano, Chair, Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation
• Erika Mallin, Executive Director, New York State Council on the Arts
• Sarah Calderon, Executive Director, Creatives Rebuild New York
• Erica Fee, Founding Festival Producer & CEO, Rochester Fringe Festival
• Kevin O'Connor, CEO, RUPCO
• Ryan M. Silva, Executive Director, New York State Economic Development Council
• Cjala Surratt, Co-Founder, Black Artist Collective
• Jade Warrick, Artist

A video of the discussion is available here.

This symposium is made possible through generous support from Creatives Rebuild New York. We are also grateful for general support from The Clark Foundation, the Altman Foundation, and ongoing support from a number of other philanthropic funders.