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TOOLS FOR MEASURING AND MAPPING ARTS ECONOMY
In this next section are national tools that allow us access to quantitative and monetary data about the arts economically, by location. Please remember, that quantitatively measuring economic indexes is only one lens over the arts.
The premise of this specific lens is to see local economic indicators that you can use to inform intelligent dialogue and planning. For some sectors, this is the only lens that matters, for others, this lens skips over valuable but non-quantitative community assets.
Asset mapping must be informed by a broad base of
local people, because the term “assets” comprises several categories, only some of which are easily identified and collected. The “work” of mapping community assets requires a process of intersectional communication, so that the definition of what constitutes a valuable asset worth mapping are
as accurately diverse, broad and deep as the community.
The definition of “Value” in asset mapping reflects the representatives at the planning and decision-making table.
Dominant culture’s definition of an ‘asset’ or ‘value’ typically overlooks multi-cultural variations of “what is valuable” and considered an ‘asset”. For example, in some neighborhoods, the arts and culture are embedded in day-programs for adults with disabilities, senior centers or non-arts-related community organizations, e.g. Park and Recreation facilities or facilities where religious groups congregate.
Mapping assets must take into account the specific community, language, history and other “hidden” assets that are housed in a-typical places, e.g. stories of elders, undocumented First- nation history, etc. For this reason, representatives from an intersection or multiple local sectors are needed. https://www.creativecity.ca/database/files/library/cultural_mapping_toolkit.pdf
“Mapping assets must take into account the specific community, language, history and other hidden assets that are housed in a-typical places...”
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