Illustration by Rich Hauck
This month, I get to participate in a special honor.
Sprocket Mural Works asked me to introduce them as they receive this year’s Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts in the Capital Region, a high honor bestowed for 30 years by Theatre Harrisburg.
I’m delighted to say some nice words about this wonderful arts organization, which, in a few short years, has literally changed the look of Harrisburg by mounting dozens of large-scale, public art projects.
This occasion prompted me to think more about the arts in Harrisburg.
Our little city is blessed with many great arts venues and organizations, from theater to music to visual arts. These range from the long established (Theatre Harrisburg and the Art Association, both nearly a century old) to the relatively new (Sankofa, Nyeusi) to plenty in-between.
There’s a lot here.
Having said that, it strikes me that these organizations are fighting the good fight with one brush tied behind their backs. Currently, there’s no organization in Harrisburg specifically dedicated to promoting and advancing the arts. It’s basically everyone for themselves here, like in nearly every other aspect of life in Harrisburg.
In this regard, Harrisburg is an exception. Most cities, even many towns, have an organization charged with advancing the arts in their communities. Sometimes, the city or county government takes the lead. Sometimes, it’s a consortium of artists or arts groups or a local arts council. Other times, an enlightened private entity makes the arts a centerpiece of a development or business plan.
We have examples all around us.
One county over, the Perry County Council for the Arts is a classic arts umbrella, offering everything from art classes to exhibit space to special events and programs. Heading east, Lancaster is famous for supporting its creative community, transforming the Red Rose City into a thriving, regional arts destination. In Lebanon County, tiny Mt. Gretna is essentially a cultural collective occupying a town.
Recently, York’s scene has picked up steam, thanks to arts-centered development, art consortiums and repeated rounds of strategic planning, which has led to a long-term investment in that city’s creative class. Years of organizing, experimentation and effort are bearing fruit to revitalize York through the arts, even attracting creative types to relocate there.
Sure, all of this artistic talent has led to more beautiful and interesting cities. However, many places embrace the arts, at least as much, because a vibrant arts community is a proven moneymaker. They do it out of self-interest, as the arts can be a significant economic driver.
In 2022, Pennsylvania’s creative sector added more than $30.1 billion to the commonwealth’s economy, employing more than 175,000 full-time jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and the National Endowment for the Arts.
“The BEA numbers highlight Pennsylvania’s creative sector contributions to the commonwealth’s economic growth and development, which in turn, enhance the vitality and life of a community, its investors, residents and visitors,” said Susan S. Cohen, chair of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, in a recent statement.
Unfortunately, as our neighbors increasingly have embraced the arts for creative dynamism and economic development, Harrisburg has been heading the other way.
When I arrived here, the long-established Greater Harrisburg Arts Council was in the process of fragmenting and dissipating. Likewise, once-robust community art groups like MetroArts (Jump Street) and Danzante soon ceased to exist. Then, about a decade ago, the city created a Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism, but that initiative fell apart quickly.
The result: a vacuum in arts leadership, coordination, advocacy, planning, direction and funding.
There are those trying to step in. Harristown Enterprises has been branding a new downtown “arts district.” Over in Midtown, Millworks’ studios have the vibe of an artist colony. For our part, TheBurg is revitalizing 3rd in The Burg, which is a type of arts umbrella, albeit for one night a month. We would love to do more, but lack the capacity (i.e. funds) to be both a news organization and an arts organization.
In a way, it’s astounding that Harrisburg has such a robust arts scene, given the absence of top-level leadership. Arts groups, such as Sprocket, deserve tremendous credit for succeeding and making such a difference, raising money for their missions and figuring it all out on their own, on the fly.
I admire Harrisburg’s arts groups tremendously for doing so much, with so little. But just imagine what more could be done in this city with more assistance, with a little more coordination, support and guidance.
Lawrance Binda is publisher/editor of TheBurg.
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