Fashion and Arts Week Prevents Arts from Slipping During Down Economy

Despite a strong economic impact potential and a high demand, arts tend to go by the wayside during hard times, just when they are needed most. But one dedicated group is determined to prevent this decline.

In economic hard times, arts and entertainment often get sacrificed because of a reduction in disposable income. The Clearwater Designer Co-Op, a dedicated group committed to improving Downtown Clearwater’s economic growth through artistic means, will help prevent this by holding Fashion and Arts Week February 3rd – 6th, a series of free events, which will include a sample sale offering deep discounts on designer clothes.

The arts are necessary to a strong, vibrant economy. For instance, the arts generated $3.1 billion in economic impact during 2008. According to the St. Pete Times, in the city of St. Petersburg, “arts and cultural organizations brought in $1.3 million visitors who spent $26 million in 2009”.

However, when disposable income goes down, money for the arts are often the first to be cut, and considered “unnecessary”. For instance, in 2009, the Atlanta Symphony Organization canceled multiple fundraisers, citing the economy, the Getty Museum in Los Angeles slashed operating costs while raising parking fees, and the famed Metropolitan Museum of Art lost $800 million in one summer.  

However, artistic activities are still in demand even during recessions, indicating it is the wallet, not desire that forces it out of the budget. According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, non-profit museums with lower or no admission fees have been experiencing good turnout.  
 
The Clearwater Designer Co-Op is fully aware of the economic impact and the demand for art, and in this vein is presenting a four day festival of art and fashion for free in order to help stimulate the economy of Downtown Clearwater.

Events will include concerts, open art shows, street performers and dancing. A film screening presented by the Sunscreen Film Festival on Friday, February 4th and a ballet presented by the Guilfoil Ballet Theatre on Saturday, February 5th will both be held at the Capitol Theatre. All activities will be free, excluding the ballet and the film screening.

A sample sale will be held at System Productions on Garden Avenue. Designer clothes including Craig Taylor blouses and 10,000 villages items will be available for deeply discounted prices. The sample sale will be accompanied by a Friday night fashion show, also at System Productions. There will be no fee to attend the fashion show.  

Fashion and Arts Week is an extension of Clearwater Fashion Week, which was put on by the Clearwater Designer Co-Op with the idea of stimulating the Downtown Clearwater economy by offering a week long designer sample-sale, and fashion shows. Fashion and Arts Week will take place on Cleveland Street in Downtown Clearwater February 3rd – 6th.

About Fashion and Arts Week:
Fashion and Arts Week is put on by the Clearwater Designer Co-Op with the goal to stimulate the economy of Downtown Clearwater with an injection of fashion, art and culture, and to encourage more retailers to open stores downtown, as well as attract future residents. More information on Fashion and Arts Week can be found at fashionandartsweek.posterous.com.

About the Clearwater Designer Co-Op:
The Clearwater Designer Co-Op is comprised of professionals and volunteers united with the purpose of helping the City promote the Cleveland Street District by spotlighting it with a series of fashion related and cultural events. More information on the Clearwater Designer Co-Op can be found at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clearwater-Designer-Co-Op/129076394328