Putting the “ART” in SmART Growth

July 1st, 2025 by Sneha Patel

What does art have to do with economic development? “Every single thing,” Tai Cooper reminds us, opening up the session, “Putting the ‘ART’ in SmART Growth: Strategies for Arts and Creative Placemaking.” When we’re looking at smart growth pillars, it’s not easily apparent how art can be connected, but it’s vital for creating vibrant communities and, in turn, economic prosperity. From theater to art mixers to murals, we benefit from art programs all the time. Bringing us closer to our community, livening up neighborhoods, and promoting economic development in the cities that we work and play in.

Panelists for this dynamic session at the 2025 NJ Planning and Redevelopment Conference hosted by New Jersey Future and the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association included: Barbara Bickart, Senior Advisor Arts/Culture at New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA); Andrew Binger, Program Officer of Community Partnerships at NJ State Council for the Arts; Michael Atkins, Executive Director of Atlantic City Arts Foundation; and Siree Morris, Real Estate Developer at MCI Collective.

Barbara Bickart deeply understands the value and impact of the arts and non-profits. The arts catalyze social impact, economic stimulus, and livability. “Everything that is good, that touches the core of who we are as human beings, is in the arts.” When people come to communities and spend their money, there is an “economic ripple effect,” as Bickart explains. People spend beyond the $30 ticket for the event they’re coming to see, it’s parking, food, drinks, childcare, etc. As altruistic art programs can be, we should recognize that there is a clear return on investment. Siree Morriss chimed in, “Numbers drive marketability, and marketability drives profitability.”

NJEDA’s A.R.T. (Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation) Phases I and II grant program provided funding for multiple projects, including Newark Alliance, Inlet Public Private Assn. Inc., Stockton University, and Atlantic City Arts Foundation. The grant program supports artists and brings them in at the beginning of the process, meeting art-based organizations in terms of funding, where they are. Bickart emphasized the critical nature of partnerships, especially in the arts and culture, and incentivized them in the application for the A.R.T. program. The next round for the Cultural Arts & Facilities Expansion (CAFE) program opens this summer.

Andrew Binger says it comes down to language, “How do we translate the funny feeling you get when you see art, the magic that moves you, that transforms young people—how do we translate that to economic development?” The NJ State Council for the Arts, as the largest funder of the arts in the state of New Jersey, provides art organizations with $31.9 million yearly of public dollars, resulting in driving economic growth in the communities they serve. Binger highlights the economic impact of the arts:

Arts activity stimulates $532.3 million in economic activity each year
The arts community supports close to 10,000 jobs
Investment in the arts means $41 million in State tax revenue
NJ arts events attract close to 5.6 million attendees, including out-of-state attendees

“Artists, we’re scrappy, we think outside of the box,” Binger reiterates. If you include arts and culture at the beginning of development, the ROI is significant.

“Once you begin to annotate where arts exist in the world around you, you begin to find it everywhere.” Michael Atkins noted. Atkins took the audience beyond the drawing board, showing a real example of how a community organization like Atlantic City Arts Foundation benefits from this funding. AC Arts Foundation has commissioned over 100 murals in Atlantic City and hosted several public events, some including Arteriors and Art Mixers. Creativity has a way of connecting people. “91% of participants report meeting new people and making friends through art experiences,” Atkins shared. Arts play a key role in public engagement, and one part of a multi-sector effort to change the perception of a city and increase population.

“Nobody wants to live somewhere boring” Siree Morris humorously opened. City planning without incorporating arts and culture is incomplete. He explains, “From a developers standpoint, we’re looking at how much money we can make in the smallest footprint. We could have all the beautiful buildings we want, but if people don’t have things to do, places to go and things to see, they’re going to leave the market and it will adversely effect our redevelopment and marketability.” Morris stressed the value of making art economically viable, providing examples of projects where they’ve successfully implemented this into development, such as Artside Development and Museum Parc—two mixed-use projects that combine residential, retail, and art.

The writing is on the wall: art doesn’t just beautify our spaces—it’s inclusive, easy to implement, and economically beneficial. Siree Morris ends “Art is a place where everyone is welcome, everyone fits.”