Worcester Business Journal

4 Worcester Business Journal | November 4, 2019 | wbjournal.com R E G I O N S G R E A T E R W O R C E S T E R Greater Worcester: At a glance Largest employer UMass Memorial Health Care Inc., Worcester 11,491 local employees Largest chamber Worcester Regional of commerce Chamber of Commerce 2,100 members Biggest local bank Bay State Savings Bank, Worcester $348,673,000 in deposits Biggest college Worcester Polytechnic Institute 5,371, fall 2018 full-time enrollment* Largest meeting venue DCU Center, Worcester Accommodates 2,520 guests banquet style Median age 42.5 *Fall 2019 enrollment not available yet. Sources: Worcester Business Journal surveys of area businesses, Mass. Department of Revenue, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) as of June 30, 2019, U.S. Census Bureau 2013-2017 American Community Survey Cultural hub Worcester's cultural institutions are creating their own economic impact BY SARAH CONNELL SANDERS Special to the Worcester Business Journal W orcester's cultural institutions have be- come a cornerstone of the city economy, thanks to the value placed on community participation, visibility, and accessibility. e Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 study from national nonprofit Ameri- cans for the Arts found Worcester's non- profit arts and culture sector amounted to a $125.7-million industry in the city during fiscal year 2015. e sector sup- ported 4,062 full-time equivalent jobs and generated $9.9 million in local and state government revenue. at same year, additional spending by arts and culture audiences generated $61.2 million in revenue for local restau- rants, hotels, retail stores, and parking garages. Culture is big business. Worcester is home to more than 85 cultural institutions of varying sizes. "ere are hundreds of artists: poets, filmmakers, dancers, musicians, potters and painters who make up Worcester's creative spark," said Erin Williams, City of Worcester cultural development officer. "Collectively they bring the arts to life in everyday life via murals, street festivals, popup performances, muse- ums, and cool places to connect and get inspired." Community participation Hank Von Hellion is the program di- rector for the Worcester Pop Up, a space designated for local artists and organi- zations to show their work and execute creative programming. Von Hellion said new members of the workforce are oen forced to choose between living in small tight-knit communities or large fast- paced cities. "Cultural institutions help to bridge that perceived gap by making access and meaningful connections tangible," Von Hellion said. "Supporting people you recognize rather than some faceless corporate entity has become incredibly appealing to the younger folks and com- munity minded." When it comes to retaining Worcester's college students aer graduation, Von Hellion values ownership above all else. "e great thing about Worcester is that anyone with a good work ethic, an innovative idea, and a passion for elevat- ing the Worcester community can take a project from concept to fruition," he said. e Worcester Pop Up aims to foster this level of community buy-in by opening its doors to the city's creatives and supporting them in their endeavours. Visibility Troy Siebels, president and CEO of the Hanover eatre, said visibility is important when considering cultural institutions. "Millennials, in particular, are grav- itating to urban neighborhoods with unique and authentic character," Siebels said. "e presence and high profile of a number of large anchor institutions in Worcester ensures that it will be per- ceived as a cultural hub for the region." Walkability is also a factor, said ArtsWorcester Executive Director Juliet Feibel. "Prospective new Worcesterites need to be able to imagine themselves living and playing here, and those places where the arts, dining, entertainment, and retail intersect are key to that ability," Feibel said. Accessibility Adding economic value through creativity is important for organizations like ArtsWorcester, but accessibility is paramount. e downtown gallery hosts an annual College Show every February to drive student engagement. At this event, now in its 16th year, Feibel reports Juliet Feibel, executive director for ArtsWorcester The POW! WOW! Worcester mural "Bird #6" by the artist Arlin in downtown Worcester. PHOTO/JASPER WONG

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