More people attend arts events each year than attend sports events or vote in a national election. Widespread recognition of their value is also reflected in the growth of private sector financial support provided for the arts, humanities, and culture. In Florida, too, it is increasingly recognized that the promotion of cultural resources is essential to the state s quality of life and important to its economy. It should be noted that within the national arts community, universities are now viewed as a critical element in the maintenance of the arts in this country. Today, most artists and arts educators are trained within academia.
Universities also play an important role in arts advocacy and audience development.
Often, it is on a college campus that students are first introduced to the arts and begin lifetimes of arts appreciation. Although the arts are certainly widely valued for themselves, the practical connection between the arts, the economy, and quality of life cannot be ignored. Both business and individuals frequently make location decisions based on the quality of schools and the arts in a given area. Furthermore, cultural resources attract tourists. Therefore, cultural programs in our communities and schools will be important factors in determining the quality and quantity of Florida s growth in the next decades.