Amid cuts, Philly mayor supports arts groups

Associated Press
MSNBC.com

(March 8, 2009)-Arts and cultural organizations are often dismissed as a frivolity, the first to go when the budget ax swings even as supporters tout them as powerful economic engines that employ workers and support businesses far beyond the cliche wine-and-cheese set...

But Philadelphia's mayor, in a departure from his predecessor, believes the arts are key to generating revenue and strengthening the community....

Nutter cited figures from a recent Philadelphia Cultural Alliance report that arts and culture in the region employs 40,000 people and generates more than $1 billion in economic activity every year.

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