When people think about a strong, thriving community, they often focus on schools, safety, jobs, or parks—and those are all vital. But what about the arts?

Why the Arts Matter to a Community

At Alabama Art Supply, we know firsthand that the arts are not an “extra.” They are a cornerstone of a vibrant, healthy, connected community. Whether it’s a concert at Railroad Park, a student play at Samford, a mural in Avondale, or a gallery stroll in Forest Park, the arts are woven into daily life in Birmingham—and they make life richer for everyone who calls this city home.

🎨 Emotional and Social Well-Being

Art gives us moments of joy, reflection, connection, and healing. Public art makes spaces more welcoming. Music lifts spirits. Creative expression helps us process emotions and build empathy.

In communities, the Arts means less isolation, more engagement, and a stronger sense of belonging. Art can bring neighbors together, create dialogue between generations, and foster pride in where we live.

📚 Educational Benefits

The arts are essential to learning—not just for future artists, but for everyone.

Across Birmingham, students experience the arts through schools, youth programs, and nonprofit organizations. Whether it’s a visual arts elective at Alabama School of Fine Arts or a poetry slam hosted by a local library, arts education builds creative thinking, confidence, and connection.

Kids who participate in the arts tend to show:

• Improved academic performance
• Better problem-solving skills
• Greater emotional intelligence
• Stronger collaboration and communication abilities

"There is clear evidence that arts and creativity contribute significantly to education and play a key role in the development of twenty-first century skills like critical thinking, creativity, communication skills, and collaboration skills, which are highly sought by all industries. Participation in the arts builds confidence, which positively impacts students and translates to other disciplines outside of the arts. Not all students will become professional artists, but arts play a critical role in the development and success of every student."

—Elliot Knight, Executive Director, Alabama State Council on the Arts

Arts education helps students think creatively, build confidence, and explore who they are. And when schools, libraries, and community programs invest in the Arts, they help raise well-rounded, imaginative young people—our future leaders and innovators.

💵 Economic Impact

It’s easy to underestimate but the Arts also mean business.

Arts events bring people into Birmingham’s districts—Five Points South, Woodlawn, Downtown, and beyond. They fill restaurants, shops, and venues. Artists rent studios, buy supplies (hey there 👋), and generate income. Galleries, film festivals, and public installations all contribute to the local economy.

🎭 Arts Infrastructure in Birmingham: Modest but Meaningful Investment

According to the National Endowment for the Arts, the arts contribute over $900 billion to the U.S. economy each year. And right here in Birmingham, creative industries play a vital role in tourism, small business growth, and neighborhood revitalization.

The offices for the National Endowment for the Arts are located in the Old Post Office building, Washington, D.C. Photograph courtesy of Britannica.

According to a study by Americans for the Arts, the nonprofit arts and culture sector in Jefferson County, which encompasses Birmingham, generates approximately $234.9 million in total economic activity annually. This figure includes $88.5 million spent by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and an additional $146.4 million in event-related spending by their audiences. This combined spending supports 6,805 full-time equivalent jobs and delivers $17.5 million in local and state government revenue. 

"Our mission is to build recognition and support for the extraordinary and dynamic value of the arts and to lead, serve, and advance the diverse networks of organizations and individuals who cultivate the arts in America.

Connecting your best ideas and leaders from the arts, communities, and business, together we can work to ensure that every American has access to the transformative power of the arts.

Investing in the arts isn’t just good for the soul—it’s good for the bottom line.

💡 Spending vs. Return: What It Tells Us

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Arts contributes significantly to the state's economy. In fiscal year 2022, UAB Arts generated a total economic impact of $6.6 million in Alabama, combining $3.6 million in direct impact and $3 million in indirect and induced impact. This activity supported 129 jobs throughout the state. 

Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts (AEIVA). Photograph courtesy of The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

These figures underscore the substantial economic role that arts events and organizations play in Birmingham and the surrounding areas.

Investing in the arts isn’t just good for the soul—it’s good for the bottom line.

🏙️ Arts in Action: Birmingham Highlights

The creative spirit of Birmingham is visible all over the city:

Birmingham Museum of Art offers world-class exhibitions, studio programs, and free access for all.

Sidewalk Film Festival draws national attention while supporting independent film, storytelling, and media arts.

Space One Eleven, Studio 2500, and East Lake’s art district provide space and support for emerging and established artists.

Red Mountain Theatre, Alabama Ballet, and Alabama Symphony Orchestra bring powerful performances to life year-round.

Alabama Symphony Orchestra

And initiatives like REV Birmingham's public art projects, art walks, and creative placemaking efforts continue to connect neighborhoods through creativity.

Woodlawn serves as REV’s headquarters

These aren’t just events—they’re expressions of identity, culture, and vision.

❤️ Community Identity and Pride

Every city has a story—and the arts help tell it.

In Birmingham, art preserves history, uplifts voices, and reflects resilience. From the Civil Rights murals in Downtown to steel sculptures paying tribute to our industrial roots, art is part of the way Birmingham remembers where we’ve been—and envisions where we’re going.

It builds identity. It creates landmarks. It turns spaces into places people love.

🌺 Keep Birmingham Creative

Whether you’re a painter, a poet, a drummer, or someone who just loves a local gallery night—you are part of Birmingham’s arts community. And your support matters.

Attend a show. Join a class. Support a local artist. Keep creating.

Because when the arts thrive, Birmingham thrives.

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