By Brad Bachmeier
Art Professor, former Fargo Planning Commissioner, former Board President of The Arts Partnership
For several years, Fargo’s investment in The Arts Partnership has come under scrutiny. Yet its impact is clear, measurable, and easily demonstrated.
We see it in the opportunities for our children and families, in our cultural institutions, and millions of dollars in economic activity.
TAP supports an entire network of arts and cultural organizations, from the Fargo Theatre to Theatre B to youth music and theatre programs.
Of the 21 organizations that received grants this year, more than 62 percent provide substantial youth arts education.
Fargo-based grantee organizations account for more than 510,000 annual audience visits and an estimated $14.7 million in audience spending in our community.
The impact isn’t only economic. These organizations are part of how people experience community, identity and pride in Fargo.
Decades ago, City of Fargo asked The Arts Partnership to administer arts funding. TAP continues to do that work competitively, transparently and efficiently.
TAP’s work is not charity. It is a public investment delivering a public purpose.
In a General Fund budget at $147 million, TAP represents about six cents of every $100 Fargo spends.
In 2012, Fargo adopted GO2030, a comprehensive guide to Fargo’s future, developed through extensive citizen input. Its vision calls for a vibrant city with a robust economy, high quality of life and welcoming community, – Arts and Culture is one of its guiding principles.
The six cents that make sense
I challenge City of Fargo leaders to find any investments in the budget that leverage more, generate greater economic activity, reach more people, or contribute more directly to Fargo that our citizens have said they want.
This is what sound fiscally conservative public investment looks like. The Arts Partnership has demonstrated its extraordinary value and earned Fargo’s continued investment.
