Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/992084
36 | DOING BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT | 2018 2018 | DOING BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT | 36 There's a whole economic web that's tied in with arts and culture, and there's a very strong return on investment." He said, "Forty percent of our cultural attendees come from outside of New Haven. We're far enough from New York, Boston and Providence that it is more convenient for [Connecticut residents] to come into our region for theater performances and concerts." It's a welcome influx of people and money. And that's just the beginning. Like Newman-Scott, Fitzmaurice says the impact of arts and culture extends far beyond the stage. "We need young people to take jobs and live in this state. There's all sorts of worry about who is leaving Connecticut, and how young are they are. But when you're talking about driving economic development, you're really asking where the talent is, and what drives young people to live in the city," Fitzmaurice said. "The City of New Haven has seen a very big increase in college- educated people moving into the city – people in their 20s and 30s. They're here for the lifestyle, the vibrant cultural life that we have. They'll find work when they find work; they'll buy a home when they're ready. But if they're going to stay in Connecticut, it's because that decision is driven by pretty authentic life experiences." He said the arts contributes to raising healthy, strong, creative thinkers. "And it's not a debate anymore if that's an important piece of the economy. We need a pool of young talent to attract businesses. You don't get [the young people] because the businesses have moved in; you get [the businesses] because the young people have moved in." In her role as CEO of the Greater Hartford Arts Council (GHAC), Cathy Malloy and her staff are closely connected with the corporate community, which has to convince prospective employees that they should live in Hartford rather than Boston or New York, for example. "All of the arts organizations in the capital region work really hard on recruitment and retention of employees, and we work closely with HR departments. All of the corporations want to know how they can get involved in the arts community and they all have created incredible opportunities to provide a wonderful arts experience for people," she said. "I think the city is really on an upswing. In the six years that I've been here, everyone in the arts community is all about making this region even stronger and better, and I think we're all very positive about the future. We're just trying to make it a fun, exciting place to live and work." Malloy said GHAC has "a really good website that, on a weekly basis, lists all of the opportunities that are happening, and a lot Anita Balkun was a participant in Greater Hartford Arts Council's Art on the Streets program. One of the many outdoor sculptures found in Stamford is "Gos- sip" by Martha Pettigrew in Latham Park. ENTERTAINMENT & DIGITAL MEDIA [Photo by Nick Caito]