Each year at the conference, PAN, AFTA's Public Art Network, selects top public artworks installed in the last year from all over the nation.  Leap, our red rabbit at the Airport's new Terminal B, was one of the top 50 selected. It was a rewarding moment for Sacramento!

I am excited to announce the results of the Arts & Economic Prosperity IV report which was unveiled last Friday at the conference.  Nationally, the study reveals that the nonprofit arts industry produced $135.2 billion in economic activity during 2010, generating 4.1 million full-time equivalent jobs.   For AFTA's Executive Summary please click here.

In Sacramento County we find that nonprofit arts and culture organizations are a $112 million industry, supporting 4,441 full-time equivalent jobs and generating $13.2 million in local and state government revenue. Randy Cohen, who was the keynote speaker at our Where's the Money Symposium in March, led the 3 year study.  Watch his video message here, and look for our journalists' roundtable in response the the data this fall.

"Creative Placemaking" was the theme of the AFTA conference; how arts and culture create a sense of place in communities. This past year we have been developing  a new initiative called Creative Sacramento, which builds on the creative industries and placemaking.  We will be leveraging SMAC's areas of expertise, our many collaborations in the business and community sectors, and the quantifiable economic impact of the arts in order to create jobs, stimulate business growth, develop and expand the creative sector and diversify our funding sources.  

My final take away from the conference is the inspiring work being done with expressive arts to help veterans who suffer from traumatic brain injury and PTSD.  It is truly an exciting field and resonates strongly with SMAC's values. We are hopeful a grant we have submitted will allow us to serve our veteran population locally. 

I also want to extend warm thanks to Sacramento Theatre Company for their recognition of our work in raising the visibility of the arts in Sacramento.  They had a great event last night and handed out three first time awards.  Along with Wells Fargo Bank and the Give Local Now campaign, I was honored to receive the award for Individual Contribution.

And I'd like to conclude by extending our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has already contributed to our $35 for 35 years campaign!  If you haven't had the chance to donate yet in recognition of SMAC's 35th Anniversary, I hope you will take a moment to click and donate. 

Warm regards,