DeKalb County Supporting the Arts?

Local artists may get a helping hand from the county government, if DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis gets his way.

Ellis has put together what he calls the Creative Industries Task Force "to undertake an inclusive and comprehensive study of DeKalb’s creative and cultural industry and to develop a plan to shape the cultural future of our community and position DeKalb County as a cultural center and destination," he said in a press release.

Artists, art and cultural organizations, faith-based institutions, or residents who support the arts are being asked to provide feedback in an online survey that is available until July 1. The surveys take less than five minutes, and are available 24 hours a day. They can also be taken at all DeKalb County libraries.

"Not only is this a cultural arts program, it is also an economic development opportunity," Ellis said in the release. "When new businesses are recruited to our community, major selling points are the quality of life and the leisure opportunities for employees. Increasingly, cultural amenities are also major attributes for attracting and retaining workers."

The survey results will be used in developing a framework for a healthy arts and culture community and support artistic endeavors in the county. 

“DeKalb County supports creative arts, which is why I created this task force,” said Ellis. I hope everyone who is a stakeholder in the DeKalb arts community will spend a few minutes to take the survey and provide the County with the information we need to plan for the future.”

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