Goals
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Indicator Measures
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How are we doing?
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2.1 Contribution to Metro Boston’s Competitive Edge |
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2.1.1 Boston’s “Creativity Index” ranking in comparison with other major cities |
2002 Creativity Index ties Metro Boston for 3rd place with San Diego, behind San Francisco (1st) and Austin (2nd), out of the 49 Metro areas of over one million population |
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2.1.2 Economic impact of the “Creative Cluster” industries |
“Creative Cluster” jobs in New England accounted for 3.5% of all jobs — 250,000 — with a $4.3 billion payroll based on 1997 data |
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2.1.3 Cultural sector funding, comparison with other Metropolitan regions |
Metro Boston ranked 2nd to New York in per capita contributions for the arts among 10 comparable Metro areas in 1999 |
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2.2 Boston as an Exciting Regional Destination |
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2.2.1 Non-profit arts organizations per capita in Metro Boston |
From 1992-1999, Metro Boston’s cultural sector grew 73% — the highest rate among comparable regions |
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2.2.2 Attendance at Boston’s major cultural events and spectacles |
In 2002, total paid and unpaid attendance at cultural venues, while robust, was down from 2000 levels |
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2.2.3 Impact on the local and regional tourist industry |
In 2001, Greater Boston attracted 12.6 million domestic and international visitors, contributing $8.94 billion to the economy |
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2.3 Impact of Arts Organizations on Community Life |
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2.3.1 Distribution of Boston’s arts and cultural facilities in relationship to the concentration of Boston’s children |
Boston has a high concentration of arts and cultural venues in/near downtown with fewer resources in “kid-intensive” neighborhoods |
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2.3.2 Neighborhoods, artists and visitors participating in Boston’s Open Studios |
In 2002, an estimated 895 artists and over 41,000 visitors participated in Boston’s Open Studios across 12 neighborhoods |
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2.4 Vibrant Expressions of Cultural Diversity |
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2.4.1 Online Cultural Continuum Survey |
The survey of informal to formal cultural resources can be filled out and viewed online soon at www.bostonindicators.org |
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2.4.2 Demographically representative cultural institution leadership |
Mainstream cultural organizations have been slow to reflect the city’s growing racial/ethnic diversity in executive leadership and on boards |
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2.4.3 Neighborhood festivals and celebrations |
Boston’s festivals contribute to the vibrancy and economic life of the city |
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2.5 Opportunities for Arts Education |
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2.5.1 Teachers dedicated to visual arts, music and theater in Boston's public schools |
The number of BPS arts teachers increased from 237 in 2000 to 243 in 2002 |
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2.5.2 Children and youth participation in after-school arts programs |
Comprehensive data not available at this time |
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2.5.3 Students in degree-granting schools of visual and performing arts |
While a listing of institutions is available, a precise count of students is not |
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2.6 Equitable Access to Cultural Participation |
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2.6.1 Cultural facilities’ seats-to-population ratio |
Exact data are not available, but arts professionals report a deficit of available seats to meet potential demand in Boston |
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2.6.2 Free and reduced price tickets at cultural institutions and venues in Boston |
Free and low-cost entertainment is widely available, particularly in downtown Boston. |
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2.6.3 Access to cultural facilities for people with physical disabilities |
The VSA Arts guide, Access Expressed New England, lists accessible facilities based on survey findings |
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2.6.4 Comprehensive information about arts and culture activities and programs |
Comprehensive listings are widely available but only in English, reducing access for newcomer immigrants |
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2.7 Public Funding and Support for the Arts |
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2.7.1 Levels of volunteering in arts and cultural organizations |
In 2001, Bostonians were more likely to volunteer than 39 sites across America |
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2.7.2 Dedicated artist housing units |
In the past 30 years, Boston has gained only 300 permanent artist live-work units |
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2.7.3 Designated federal, state and city funding for the arts |
Comparable cities spend more per capita on the arts than Boston; recent state cuts to the Mass. Cultural Council have severely reduced funding to small arts organizations |
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