SUMMARY
There appears to be a solid basis for collaboration between the arts and
business in the South Suburbs. Arts groups are a solid, self-supporting
presence in the community - making meaningful contributions in a number of
areas. Attitudes toward the South Suburban community are quite positive,
with the quality of arts activity, the parks and recreation drawing visitors
to the area. The major barrier to attracting more visitors into the community
is better communication - getting the word out through better public relations
efforts. Both the arts and business would benefit from increasing visitors to
the area - the arts through audience development and business through an
increased customer base. Increasing visitor traffic could form the basis for
collaboration between business and the arts as both groups unite in an effort
to better communicate what the South Suburbs has to offer. Interaction
between the arts and business already exists in fairly narrow terms -
with arts groups patronizing local businesses and local businesses in turn
supporting arts groups when asked to do so. Expanding this interaction into
a true collaboration would result in expanded benefits to both groups.
Major barriers to collaboration are limited time and limited opportunities
for the two groups to communicate. A well organized effort, in which
specific goals and action plans are identified could help overcome these
barriers - as both groups come to understand that much can be accomplished
by investing time in efforts which will produce solid returns.
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