Arts serious player in Montana’s economy

The arts as an industry is on a par with mining or wood products manufacturing, the report says.

The arts industry is a major contributor to Montana’s economy – with $233 million in arts-driven economic impact in 2003 from 5,840 artists, according to a first-of-its-kind study produced by the Montana Arts Council and the Center for Applied Economic Research at Montana State University-Billings.

"For too long, the arts has been considered a fluff-ball business, a hobby, not a real job. We’re going to set the record straight," said Arlynn Fishbaugh, the Montana Arts Council’s director.

In years past, that attitude might have been allowed, Fishbaugh said, but the misconception has led to drastic cuts in the MAC budget. Fishbaugh spent many an uncomfortable hour in front of skeptical legislative committees while she tried to justify the value of art. As a result, it’s been harder to pursue an arts dream in Montana.

Full Report: http://www.art.state.mt.us/resources/resources_econartists1.asp

By ROBERT STRUCKMAN of the Missoulian

Full Story: http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2005/03/05/news/top/news01.txt