Panel Grapples With Art’s Impact On Economy

Can artists save downtown Worcester? That was one of the questions tackled Wednesday night at a panel discussion hosted at Worcester State College.

"I think it's very important that Worcester embrace the arts community and look at ways to utilize rundown and abandoned buildings," said panel member Joseph Farbrook, an artist and professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He cited successful initiatives in New York City by landlords to rent space at reduced rates to now-vacant buildings to keep the spaces vibrant during the current tough economy.

"Who are the intrepid explorers, but the artists?" Farbrook asked.

Farbrook was joined on the panel by: Antonio Fonseca, an artist and teacher based in Southbridge; Tracy Kraus, executive director of the Worcester Chamber Music Society; Andy Fish, a graphic artist based in Worcester; Adam Zahler, a drama teacher at Worcester State and Andrea Ajemian, a film director and creator of the local site WorcesterLove.com.

The panel was moderated by Mark Lynch, host of WICN's Public Inquiry.

Another common theme throughout the discussion was the need for the often disjointed local arts scene to engage the creativity of the thousands of local college students.

Ajemian said she's had great success recruiting local interns to help with her films. But she said a more concerted effort to draw college students into the community would benefit the city as a whole.

There will be a follow up event entitled, "Creative Prosperities" on Wednesday, April 2, 2010. Business leaders and local politicians are expected to be part of the panel.