Going forward with arts center sends right signal for the future

Work on transforming the historic Sawtooth building into the new Downtown Center for the Arts is going forward in spite of the economic storm clouds. This is good news for residents of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. The downtown center -- along with Triad Research Park, the Goler project, the Civic Plaza and the new baseball stadium -- is a crucial part of the critical mass destined to make Winston-Salem come alive.

As our community and nation struggle with an ailing economy, the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County believe it important to send a clear signal that there is wide and deep support for the arts and that our citizens are resilient and determined. We will get through this. And when things sort themselves out, Winston-Salem and Forsyth County will have made a successful transition from a manufacturing-based economy to a knowledge-based one, which was our goal before the downturn.

A newscaster said recently, "This is all about a four-letter word -- jobs." Let's look at the construction on the downtown center from a "jobs" perspective. The numbers are impressive. During construction, between 50 and 100 workers will be on site each day, with an average of about 70 over the next 18 months. When the center opens and the Sawtooth school is operating in its new space there, there will be an estimated 24 new full-time jobs for faculty and center personnel and up to 50 part-time jobs created. As a venue for performances and other arts, cultural and civic events, the downtown center will have a significant economic ripple effect on small businesses such as caterers, rental companies and audio-visual personnel. By one count, there are now 62 restaurants in the downtown area that will benefit from the patronage of people attending events at the downtown center.

Day in and day out, the arts in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County already represent a significant industry sector and are an economic driver. Arts and cultural organizations represent about 3,500 full-time equivalent jobs and, consequently, rank among the top 10 job creators in the county. They account for more than $100 million in annual economic impact and generate more than $10.4 million in tax revenues annually, according to a 2006 nationwide study that included Forsyth County.

Those who questioned including funds for the arts in Congress' economic-stimulus package lost sight of the economic impact of the arts sector in communities throughout America. The arts in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County are not icing on the cake, a simple pleasure. The arts are hearty, home-baked bread necessary for daily sustenance.

Corporate and civic leaders have said from day one that the arts and our region's cultural offerings are an integral part of making a successful transition to a knowledge-based economy. Creative minds and the businesses that rely upon them flourish best in an environment where the arts are alive -- entertaining, challenging, provoking, stimulating -- and bring people together for creative interaction. It is no wonder that in recruiting new industry we proudly refer to Winston-Salem as "the City of the Arts," pointing to arts programming in the public schools and countless community arts and cultural groups of outstanding reputation.

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and having something for everyone. Each month, a full page of activities is published in the Journal with the exhortation, "Experience Winston-Salem." A recent study showed that there are more than 800 arts and cultural events in Winston-Salem each year, not counting those on our college and university campuses. That's a virtual smorgasbord.

The Arts Council could have held back on construction of the downtown center until it had every dollar in hand necessary for completion. While our $26 million comprehensive campaign has been successful, we still must raise $5 million more. We are leaving no stone unturned and proceeding with a clear understanding of what the citizens of this community are capable of doing under challenging circumstances. Timidity on the Art Council's part would have sent the wrong signal -- fewer jobs rather than badly needed new jobs. It would have been bad news at a time when our community needs good news.

In the coming months, people going to their jobs in downtown Winston-Salem and visitors to the city's arts and entertainment district will see construction cranes and workers in hard hats creating what is being described as Winston-Salem's new "living room" -- The Downtown Center for the Arts. The construction means pay checks for workers, security in uncertain times and new jobs down the pike. They will see evidence of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County residents moving forward boldly with their eyes fixed on the future, not anxious and stalemated by these troubling times.

■ Milton Rhodes is the president of the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.