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Shaker Online 4 SHAKERONLINE.COM | SUMMER 2016 Living in a Dynamic City This concept builds on an arts focus that already exists in the district: Cleveland Public Theatre at Christ Episcopal Church, which stages performances such as the recent Road to Hope, that drew more than 700 people Verb Ballets, headquartered in Christ Episcopal Church Cleveland International Piano Competition, headquartered in Tower East Shaker Community Gallery, soon to be located in Christ Episcopal Church Shaker Arts Council’s holiday Hard Hat Boutique featuring local artists Juma Gallery and Coffeehouse, which hosts art installations and openings Frames Unlimited, which displays the work of emerging and established artists The development of the Van Aken District creates a unique opportunity to leverage arts and culture. The synergy between the wide array of carefully curated dining and shopping options in the district, coupled with a potential arts venue, would create the kind of festive destination envisioned by residents. Nick Fedor, executive director of the SHDC, believes strongly that w“an arts anchor will contribute to the vitality of the district both economically and in terms of creating a lively, desirable destination. It will complement this transit-oriented, mixed-use district being developed in the heart of Shaker Heights.” Stay tuned as plans develop. Alive with Arts Artists, musicians, actors, dancers, designers, arts professors, and administrators… in Shaker Heights, these are your friends and neighbors. And, you don’t have to live here long to learn that leisure time is often spent at exhibits, performances, and art openings or that professional lives, philanthropic support, and our public schools reflect a deep engagement in the arts. Shaker loves the arts. It makes perfect sense then that the Shaker Heights Development Corporation is exploring options for incorporating arts and culture into the new Van Aken District being developed by RMS. As it happens, it makes good economic sense, too. A recently published paper by the American Planning Association, How the Arts and Culture Sector Catalyzes Economic Vitality, outlines the connection between arts activities and local economic growth. “Economic development is enhanced by concentrating creativity through both physical density and human capital. By locating firms, artists, and cultural facilities together, a multiplier effect can result.” In other words, a concentration of arts activities, artists, and venues bring in tax dollars, job opportunities, and revenue from visitors who attend events and performances, then stay to dine and shop. This builds both the economic and social capital of the entire area, and creates the kind of energy that makes it a desirable destination. With support from funders, SHDC engaged a consulting team to conduct a market study for an arts and culture hub in the district. The study looks at programming opportunities, audience preferences, and potential locations.


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