Medfield recognized for national arts study role

Boston business leaders, statewide legislators, and arts funders and advocates -- including Medfield representatives -- joined Boston Mayor Marty Walsh on Monday, Sept. 25, at the invitation-only launch of the "Arts Means Business" advocacy campaign.

In addition to Walsh, featured speakers included Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce President James Rooney, Massachusetts State Senate President Stan Rosenberg, and San San Wong, Director of Arts & Creativity at the Barr Foundation. The foundation funded the most recent national Arts & Economic Prosperity Study in which Medfield was the only small Massachusetts community that participated.

Local participation in the study was spearheaded by Cultural Alliance of Medfield Chair Jean Mineo, who rallied the involvement of 17 Medfield arts and culture non-profit organizations. The study showed that in Medfield alone, arts and culture has a big impact on the local economy with $3.1 million spent in just one year, 125 full-time jobs sustained (4% of the town workforce) and $224,000 returned to local and state governments. You can see the full report by clicking here.

“It was inspiring to be among such a prominent group of leaders and share Medfield's story about the arts vision – especially at the state hospital site. People from a variety of sectors were deeply interested and engaged. It was wonderful to hear ideas from people like Berklee College of Music President Roger Brown and Foundation for MetroWest Executive Director Judy Salerno. They immediately understood how culture and the arts could not only be self-sustainable, but contribute to the overall economic vitality of our town,” said Mineo.

Likewise, Boston Chamber leader Rooney stressed that "talent wants to be in a city that embraces arts and culture" and that it's much more than just enjoyment. Touting employment statistics and other data, he stressed that the arts is a major contributor and vital component of the local creative economy, and noted that "a healthy, growing, supported arts center" is a critical component of Greater Boston's talent retention and attraction strategy. A video clip of Rooney's remarks is here.

The event was held at the new East Coast headquarters of Sonos, a home audio company founded in California that now employs more than 400 people in Boston alone. Sonos marketing chief Joy Howard, a former indie musician, reinforced the overall message about the importance of a vibrant arts community to overall work-life satisfaction.

Group photo (left to right): Jonathan Rappaport, Arts Learning; San San Wong, Barr Foundation; Judy Salerno, Foundation for MetroWest; Jean Mineo, Cultural Alliance of Medfield; and Matt Wilson, MASS Creative. Other photos: Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, and Massachusetts Senate President Stan Rosenberg with Mineo.