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Montana Arts community a link to thriving business

Nearly 2,000 full-time jobs generated by the arts

Within hours of the tragic events of 9-11, a New York symphony began to play Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony to a theater full of firefighters and rescue workers.

BY SHAWN WHITE WOLF – IR Staff Writer

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(Please join us at the Creative Cluster Roundtable today 10/24 in Missoula- http://www.matr.net/article-8343.html

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When people review history, they examine such things as paintings, the way people danced, the kinds of drums used in music.

"When sports, the economy, and politics get shut down, art goes on," said Allan R. Scott, maestro of Helena’s Symphony, who will be conducting Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony this Saturday at the Civic Center.

Scott was one of many speakers at Thursday’s Celebrate the Arts Luncheon, sponsored by the Helena Chamber of Commerce, where local leaders in Helena’s art world discussed the impact of the business sector and the arts working together in the community.

The chamber is looking for people interested in becoming a member of a steering committee called Business Volunteers for the Arts.

The committee will look at ways to connect the business sector and the arts more closely.

A recent economic impact study completed by a Bozeman research firm, ArtsMarket, found that 137 Montana nonprofit arts institutions have a total economic impact of $85 million on Montana’s economy.

"The arts generate nearly $4 million in Helena," said Mark Huber, a representative of U.S. Bank. He added that 88 percent of the money is invested in the Helena area.

Statewide, the arts generate nearly 2,000 full-time jobs, $35.8 million in payroll income, $13.5 million in tax revenues and 260,000 out-of-state visitors.

In 2002 alone, the study reports more than 1.6 million people were affected by the arts in Montana.

"We are in the business so volunteers can do something," said Tom Cordingley of Grandstreet Theatre.

As an example of the arts bringing people to Helena, Cordingley said that Tyler and Katie Wright’s decision to move to Montana was motivated by Tyler Wright’s interest in knowing if there was a theater in Helena.

The Wright’s moved to Helena about a year ago after Tyler accepted a position as the executive director of the YWCA.

"They are people of the stage, and since being here have participated in several shows," he said.

Cordingley comically added, "The mother-in-law is here now, too."

Other speakers at the luncheon included Josh De Weese of the Archie Bray Foundation; Mary Evelynn Sorrell of the Holter Museum of Art; and Ed Noonan of the Myrna Loy Center.

Cathy Burwell, president of the Chamber, said volunteers from the business sector can do more to help in the development of the arts by using their business expertise in areas that artists have difficulty in.

While the art community in Helena continues to be a strong advocate for providing quality education for students of all ages, she said, employees from the business sector can broaden educational resources and knowledge just by being involved.

The real brilliance about the arts is what is at the heart of it all — education, said Noonan.

"Never underestimate the power of education to people of all ages — artists want to give our students the very best," said Noonan.

Helena is defined by its own limitations, he said; from the outside people don’t think that art shouldn’t be here.

"People ask how it works?" he said. "It works – because it’s an important and vital part of our lives."

Reporter Shawn White Wolf can be reached at 447-4028 or [email protected]

http://helenair.com/articles/2003/10/24/helena/a09102403_01.txt

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