WMA’s Impact: Art + Economic Development

Did you know the arts play a significant role in regional economic development?

The arts spark growth and innovation by creating a fast-growth, dynamic business sector; helping mature industries become more competitive; providing critical ingredients for innovative places; catalyzing community revitalization; and delivering a better prepared workforce.¹

At the Wiregrass Museum of Art, we’re grateful for partnerships that value the role of art in cultural sharing, innovation and economic dynamism, and comprehensive community building. The City of Dothan’s recent budget cycle will provide annual appropriations to the museum for the next two years, which allows WMA to keep admission free for all daily visitors, create a platform for artists and creative expression, and sustain 17+ annual programs focused on lifelong learning. The museum’s presence in the Wiregrass boosts the region’s viability and visibility as a place for young and established professionals to live and work, and reinforces soft skills and workforce development by teaching creative and critical thinking skills through the visual arts.

Thank you to the City of Dothan , as well as our corporate, foundation, and individual supporters, for their leadership in elevating the role that the visual arts play in strengthening our regional economy.

Want to know more? Explore these ideas in a short video about the arts and economic prosperity here.

Best,

Dana-Marie Lemmer
Executive Director

¹ Waits, M. “Five Roles for Arts, Culture, and Design in Economic Development.” Community Development Investment Review, p. 21.