Creative “sparks” can boost economic vitality; Proctors part of Schenectady revitalization

Report: Employment in the arts across upstate surged 35% from 2009 to 2019 

ALBANY—The arts are a driving force in culture, quality of life, education, innovation and, surprising to some, the economy. 

That was the message at a forum, “Upstate’s Creative Spark: Harnessing the Arts to Boost Economic Vitality in Cities Across New York State,” March 5 at the Albany Institute of History and Art. Building on an October 2023 report on the same topic from the Center for an Urban Future, as well as a proposal put forward in January by Gov. Kathy Hochul to “Promote Economic Growth by Investing in the Arts,” speakers on two panels spoke to bolstering artists and cultural organizations at a time in which pandemic-era funding is waning.  

The panel, led by Eli Dvorkin, editorial and policy director for Center for an Urban Future and Erika Mallin, executive director for New York State Council on the Arts spoke about how to “promote economic growth by investing in the arts.”  

Sarah Calderon, executive director at Creatives Rebuild New York, Erica Fee, CEO of Rochester Fringe Festival, Kevin O’Connor, CEO of RUPCO, Ryan M. Silva, executive director for New York State Economic Development Council, Cjala Surratt, co-founder of Black Artist Collective and Jade Warrick, professional artist spoke about the importance of creating communities that embrace and support the arts.  

During the panel Silva said, “the revitalization in downtown Schenectady would not happen without the anchor of Proctors bringing in people and businesses.”

“Revitalizing downtowns in our region by cultural adaptive reuse of neglected properties has been a hallmark of the work of Proctors Collaborative. In every case the impact is different, but probably no more obvious than in the role a revitalized Proctors in Schenectady, and what it has meant to the redevelopment and revitalization of its downtown,” said Philip Morris, CEO of the Collaborative. 

For decades, 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. 

Speakers examined ways leaders can work with state officials to ensure smart, sustainable and equitable strategies to expand opportunities that support artists and local arts and cultural organizations. New York State Senators Sean Ryan and Jose Serrano added their perspectives as lawmakers.  

Through the pandemic, the federal government helped the sector with special funding. Without new funding, the arts are facing tougher hardships. Over the last 20 years funding for arts and cultural programs have, on average, declined across cities and states. State funding for the arts has been limited and policymakers are only beginning to harness the arts for local economic development. Many working artists, arts organizations and cultural venues face steep challenges.

Aging infrastructure, rising costs and hesitant patrons—with lingering concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic—theatres are still struggling to bounce back from closures.

Support and funding in local theatres and art organizations is still crucial for the well-being of our communities. Helping give these intuitions financial stability allows them to focus on bringing people into local economies, boosting revenues in restaurants, shops, and hotels and driving tourism.

“If you want to reverse population decline you have to build communities people want to live, work and play in,” Silva said. 

The report, “Upstate’s Creative Spark: Harnessing the Arts to Boost Economic Vitality in Cities Across New York State,” states that employment in the arts and culture sector across upstate New York surged 35% from 2009 to 2019, nearly 10 times the overall rate of employment growth upstate (4%) and three times the growth rate of the healthcare sector (12%). This employment boom occurred in nearly every corner of the state, with striking arts sector job growth in Buffalo (59%), Syracuse (53.5%), Albany (33%) and Rochester (14%), and across regions including the Hudson Valley (48%), Southern Tier (36.5%), North Country (28.5%) and Capital Region (21%). 

Sen. Serrano added, “we have to view the arts as a pillar, as something we cannot do without.” 

Find out how you can support Proctors Collaborative here.