A true fiscally conservative, pro-growth plan for economic prosperity for Anchorage would include a huge public investment in the arts.
Why?
The growth companies of this century are knowledge companies. Companies specializing in information technology or nanotechnology, for example, are the 21st century economic engines. And the secret to success in these sectors is innovation.
The most innovative companies will win and the winners will win because they will hire the most innovative and creative minds striding out of the elite research institutes.
Where will these companies locate their headquarters?
Wherever this specialized work force wants to live.
And where do these young, highly educated scientists, technicians and engineers want to live?
Where the action is.
What action?
Cutting-edge art, music, theater and a vibrant underground, street-level, bohemian "scene," that's what. This means cities that intend to thrive in the economy of tomorrow need to invest in creativity today. (To explore the statistics and research that back up these assertions readers should start with Richard Florida's "The Rise of the Creative Class" and John Kao's "Innovation Nation.")
How is this relevant to Anchorage?
While resource extraction -- a big mine, a big pipeline -- might be key to the short-term economic stability of the state of Alaska, it is not the key to long-term prosperity for Anchorage. We have to position ourselves as a vigorous competitor among Pacific Rim cities to be home to the next wave of knowledge-based powerhouses. Our competition is Auckland, Hong Kong, Vancouver, San Francisco, Sydney, Kyoto, Seattle, to name a few.
We have natural competitive advantages. We sport a stunning natural setting with immediate access to some of the world's premium outdoor recreation, abundant fresh water, unlimited renewable energy resources, With our close proximity to the Arctic, we are ground zero for global climate science research. We have the Alaska mystique.
But we have a lot of catch-up to do in the area of arts and culture infrastructure. We had better foster the arts now. We better figure out how to keep all of the young artists we now have living here from leaving. We better figure out how to get more artists from other cities and countries to move here.
We should think of public funding of the arts as an investment in our city's overall infrastructure -- to make Anchorage a player in the competition to attract knowledge-based industry. We need to supply more reasons for young, creative Alaskans to stay or come back here after school. We need to fertilize the soil of our cultural landscape, nurture our artists, create a dynamic environment.
If we are interested in a stable and sustainable economy for Anchorage, we need to get in the game, get on the map, compete with other Pacific Rim hot spots for the attention of companies looking for a home. Investing in creativity is a big part of how we will get on their radar.
The Anchorage Cultural Council, an umbrella group representing individual artists and the city's arts and culture organizations, is launching an exciting and ambitious drive to increase both public investment and youth participation in the arts. Join us. Help Anchorage get in the game.
Bruce Farnsworth is an Anchorage writer and member of the board of the Anchorage Cultural Council. His e-mail is whenpoetsfly@hotmail.com. The group is sponsoring a free rally at Wildberry Theatre Wednesday at 6 p.m. featuring Sonia Water, a national expert on this strategy for growth, and local youth advocate Mao Tosi.
By BRUCE FARNSWORTH