The Alabama Center for the Arts A unique achievement in civic and academic

cooperation

Created, first and foremost, to serve students enrolled at Calhoun Community College and Athens State University.

Public uses are expected to increase over the course of several years

The Alabama Center for the Arts

Long term, the ACA holds the potential to be a center for creative community-building

National TrendsThe creative economy movement continues to gain steam

Creative places spawn, attract, and retain creative businesses

Creative places experience increased livability and economic development through distinctive strategies

WaterFire Festival, Providence, RI

Impact of an Arts-Based Economy Arts and cultural investments help a locality capture a

higher share of local expenditures from income.Money stays here, and re-circulates more quickly.

Sales, income, and property tax revenues paid to local governments rise.

Additional jobs and incomes are generated in retail businesses that serve an expanded population of residents and visitors.

Impact of an Arts-Based Economy Creative places nurture

entrepreneurs, expanding the ranks of self-employed artists and designers and related workers who market their creations far afield and often employ others.

Memphis Potters Guild

Impact of the ACA in Decatur Perception of

downtown

Construction jobs

Students everywhere

Increased retail and dining

Shared Vision for the ACA The ACA will be a central (but not solitary) component

of a thriving, vibrant, and creative downtown Decatur.

The ACA will be a center for academic excellence and a major contributor to the quality of life in the region.

The ACA will bring an influx of students of all kinds into downtown, with many positive benefits to all.

Shared Vision for the ACA The ACA enhances

downtown Decatur’s existing assets of compact geography and creative collaboration among business and government.

The ACA is a magnet for activity in downtown Decatur and the region, increasing North Alabama’s artistic, cultural and economic activity.

Vision – CCC and ASU ACA is a consolidated art place in

the midst of a creative downtown Decatur.

ACA is recognized as a joint venture of both institutions, with its own identity.

Partnerships among the art, business and education communities increase.

Downtown merchants and agencies recognize that ACA is bringing opportunity to Decatur.

Vision – CCC & ASU Quality instruction is ACA’s first priority.

ACA is a destination program for students from all over the state.

Gallery is a well-attended venue.

Faculty development and advancement happens in a consolidated facility.

Renting the building or the Gallery for revenue-generation is a very low priority.

Vision – Civic & Community The ACA becomes recognized as a

model for integrating art into the fabric of a community’s life.

Decatur’s image in the region is enhanced.

Downtown evening activity will increase.

The ACA is part of a balanced expansion in business, industry and retail.

Concerns Be patient – this is a brand-new venture.

Must market ACA to at least a 200-mile radius to succeed.

Students will change the demographics and feel of downtown Decatur.

Coordinating with existing galleries on Second Avenue.

Parking and signage – adequate?

Crime – students are attractive targets.

Community-Building Recommendations

Entrepreneurial or incubator space for arts-based businesses.

Increased loft and live/work spaces in and immediately adjacent to downtown.

Multi-day festival of arts and culture in downtown Decatur.

Harvester Artspace Lofts,Council Bluffs, Iowa

Programming Possibilities ACA becoming an anchor

for a major downtown festival.

Artist workshops requiring out-of-town students to stay at least three nights.

Telling the history of Decatur in artistic ways.

Programming Possibilities Increasing the quantity of art and music available

downtown.

Increasing the availability of public art in downtown.

What’s Next? ACA Phase Two: Performing Arts

Arts-based economy for Decatur