The Cultural Policy Centre at the University of Chicago are holding a Spring 2005 workshop that explores: The Artistic Dividend: The Arts’ Hidden Contributions to Regional Development. The workshop is presented by Ann Markusen (Fesler-Lambert Chair in Urban and Regional Affairs and Director of the Project on Regional and Industrial Economics, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota. Markusen is a significant contributor to the developing field of research on arts and regional economy, arguing that the arts, whether through the contribution of foundation support, tourist dollars, or the artists themselves, often provide essential, under appreciated contributions to the economic sustainability of regional economies. In her contribution to the workshop, Markusen will discuss new data and findings that relate specifically to Chicago’s arts community. This workshop/presentation should appeal to anyone who is interested in regional economic planning and development. Robert J. LaLonde, Professor, The Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies, will serve as a respondent, and discuss the use of existing data sources (BLS and Census) in interpreting regional economic development. Interested parties are asked to download the following two papers:

The Artistic Dividend: The Arts’ Hidden Contributions to Regional Development; and

The Artistic Dividend Revisited; as background for the event. Artistic Dividend When: Friday, April 22, 12-1:30 pm Where: Room 140c, Harris School of Public Policy Studies, University of Chicago (1155 East 60th Street). RSVP requested by Thursday, April 21, 2005. For information contact Stefanie White via email at: srwhite@uchicago.edu or by phone on 773 702 4407.