CITIES BENEFIT FROM USING
THE ARTS AS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOL
Respess said progressive cities view the arts and artists as part of the fabric of the community and as a vital cog in the engine that drives economic vitality in core neighborhoods.
"One of the issues we wrestle with is `how do you maintain the artistic integrity of the building with downtown rents around it rents going through the roof?' It's tough for the city, because the city is not getting property tax from us," he explained. "The city has been very, very supportive of what's going on at McGuffey.
We benefit from a city council and city environment that has embraced the idea of the artistic process at the core of the city. The people here understand that our presence is as important as the objects we make."
Respess praised city leaders who support the art center and its recent designation on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.
"I feel very fortunate to be here and I take McGuffey very seriously," he said. "It is a beautiful old Federal Style building. If you took it away, you would destroy something that is homegrown and part of daily life in the downtown of one of the most special cities anywhere."
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