image MANIFEST-O : Youngstown Ohio

Youngstown, Ohio is a great place to live and work as an artist. We have the university, the museums, the multiple galleries and art shows, a large art community, and beautiful local scenery, alongside some of the lowest costs of living and housing in the entire continental United States. We are very close to several large cities, and 80% of all U.S. businesses are located within 600 miles of us.

Despite a much-maligned image, it really is a great place. Youngstown recognizes the cultural importance of the arts, and it shows in the attitudes of the population of the region.

But it COULD be a fantastic place, if art were thought of in terms of industrial importance as well as cultural importance. Indeed, Youngstown could easily become a major player in both the national and international art community with a thriving economy. On a national level, the arts and culture industry generates $166.2 billion in total economic activity annually, including $104.2 billion in household income. Ask any Youngstown artist what percentage of that they saw this year. Or better yet, ask the city how much of the $7.9 billion in local government tax revenues they puled in this past year through the arts and culture industry.

There are many many things that could be done locally to foster a stronger arts industry in Youngstown, and capitalize on the large number of creative professionals in the area. Some local businesses have already gotten into this mode of thinking, such as the B&O Station downtown, which has several fine art events planned this year.

1. In addition to the promotional efforts of individuals, businesses, and groups, the creative industry in Youngstown should be visibly promoted and supported by the city in its promotional materials and online presence. The arts community is here, but it is very difficult to see it unless you actually visit the city. Art and cultural functions are proven attractors in terms of tourism, but also in terms of new business overall, as innovators in business tend to congregate where they can be creatively stimulated. This promotion as well as that of individuals and businesses, should be as wide spread as possible.

2. Along with the other efforts of Youngstown 2010, the city has been scaling down, demolishing vacant properties, creating green spaces, etc. This is fantastic. However, there are some other considerations for some of these buildings and properties:

a. Low cost studio/gallery space downtown and surrounding. This attracts good traffic downtown; consumers coming into town, economic activity between new residents and downtown businesses. Gallery events will attract economic activity both by direct residents as well as tourists from nearby locations such as Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Akron/Canton.

b. Several locals have been talking about an art incubator for Youngstown. Several other cities have utilized property resources in this fashion:

- Reading PA has the Goggle Works
- Salt Lake City has Project337
- Oakland has Nimby (Thanks to Brooke for the link)

Increased traffic from attractions like this has had a direct impact on economy and the economic growth of each of these areas, much like the situation in Fennville, MI where art economics has put their community into a bit of a spotlight.

This is all without much in terms of incentive/intervention from local government. If a technology startup, or a manufacturing plant were to consider a Youngstown location, numerous incentives would be part of the process - tax breaks, resource allocation, etc. Look at the whole Belmont Ave. WalMart proposal. Imagine incentives like this for artists considering relocation, or for someone to open an arts facility. I'm not saying an art gallery will have the same immediate impact as a large manufacturing plant, I am saying that it is very relevant, and should be a little higher on the priority list.

Multimedia artist Matt Palka has lived all over the United States, and is currently spending some time in Youngstown, a city he refers to in a recent interview as "...this golden nugget in the Midwest...". Matt is a big fan of Youngstown, and before he leaves, I'm going to try to grab an interview with him to talk about the city, about his work, and about what Youngstown needs to fill in the slot it seems to fit so perfectly into in the world of the arts.

If we as artists start working more as a group to create these venues and to bring in more income, if those individuals and organization who support Youngstown arts and artists became a bit more vocal, if Youngstown leaders can begin to understand the potential of this situation, these changes will come rapidly.

I welcome any comments, feedback or questions - editor@imagemanifest.com

Regards,

Bill Youngman

www.imageMANIFEST.com