Urban and regional planners, elected officials, and other decisionmakers are increasingly focused on what makes places livable. Access to the arts inevitably appears high on that list, but knowledge about how culture and the arts can act as a tool of economic development is sadly lacking. This important sector must be considered not only as a source of amenities or pleasant diversions, but also as a wholly integrated part of local economies. Employing original data produced through both quantitative and qualitative research, Creative Communities provides a greater understanding of how art...

With roughly half of all income for non-profit arts organizations in the United States coming from earned revenue rather than donations and state funding, the issue of pricing is paramount to success in the arts industry, yet pricing is not covered in any existing textbooks. How should prices differ between ordinary and premium seating? How much of a discount in admission should be offered through membership or season subscription? When does it make sense to partner with organizations to offer discounts?

Arts managers, whether working in the performing arts, museums or festivals,...