by Jewel Pickert

[email protected]

At the 8-13-2020 Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority (HEDRA) meeting, Brenda Kayzar presented the results from the Hastings Arts Study conducted through the Hastings- Prescott Area Arts Council (HPAAC).

The Study specifically focused on arts and its connection to economic development in the community.

A shortened version of the Hastings Arts Study’s vision states “collaborative efforts between multiple partners aimed at achieving robust and accessible arts and cultural experiences and richer creative businesses and workforce prospects for all members of the Hastings community.”

The plan was to “celebrate Hastings’ creative assets and initiative and to use input from the community to offer guidance for the future sustainability and growth of the city’s arts and cultural activities.”

The Study consisted of the following: grant writing, archival research and field work, creative industry and jobs data analysis in Dakota County, creative asset mapping, creative community branding, interviews, focus groups, info sessions, and an online survey of 520 participants.

Both the St. Paul Foundation and Xcel Energy provided fiscal support.

The brand became Hastings Is Arts. There is a website and a Facebook page.

Information was gathered over a span of eight months. Brenda is working with two local graphic artists to complete the final report.

In 2018, Dakota County had $3.3 billion in creative industry for-profit sales revenues with the largest contributor being book publishers.

$6.8 million came from arts and cultural nonprofit revenues. The top contributor here was programming and ticket sales.

Brenda cited 4,615 creative jobs. The top four were editor, graphic designer, public relations specialist, and writer/author, in that order.

The average hourly wage was $24.14.

There are 166 creative enterprises on the Creative Enterprise Asset Map, composed of artist entrepreneurs, creative for-profit businesses and arts and cultural nonprofit organizations. Many of the creative individuals are employed elsewhere as well.

The emphasis skews to the visual artist side.

Brenda said an average of $27.58 per person is spent on local businesses over and above any costs given to the artists.

71% of online survey respondents live and/or work in Hastings with 17% in a nearby township. 42% are 61+ years of age. 19% are 31-40.

30% have an income of $101,000+. 20% are in the range of $76,000-$100,000.

40% are active, participating in 4-8 events. 45% found 1-3 events in Hastings. Music was the most popular genre.

About 80% of respondents visited a restaurant either before or after an arts and cultural event. 45.45% visited a bar, café, or coffee shop.

Three factors created barriers to engagement in arts and cultural activities. Promotion efforts fell short, as many were unaware of upcoming events. Some had time limitations or other commitments which conflicted with an event’s schedule. Relevance was the third barrier. Some simply weren’t interested in what was offered.

91% of the participant responses in the survey and focus groups stated Hastings was a good or excellent place to work.

20% said the city had a lot of interesting things to do.

Only 9% were satisfied with opportunities for youth aged 18 and under. 41% were somewhat satisfied. 19% were not satisfied.

Some said there were not enough opportunities outside of school and/or the cost of activities was too high.

Brenda said there’s a “desire to foster better networks and collaboration. Beautification efforts haven’t reached the neighborhoods.”

Overall, there were 663 participants.

The four goals seek to ensure Hastings benefits, to animate public spaces, to engage people in lifelong learning, and to ensure growth can happen.

Brenda provided eight recommendations: 1) Identify and develop economic intersections. 2) De-silo and connect for- and nonprofit realms. 3) Cultivate and strategize allies. 4) Foster regional networks. 5) Brand and promote. 6) Explore innovative policy solutions. 7) Animate physical realm. 8) Seek inclusive narratives and opportunities.’ She wants to “complete and share the plan, form a working group, find quick wins, identify short- and long-term priorities, and get to work.”

Brenda named Grand Rapids as one city that has had success in “creating a plan and activating it to result in growth for the city.”

Mankato is also “active in initiating a plan and trying to activate parts of that plan.”

She said building arts centers hasn’t proven to be particularly successful because of the resources needed to run them.

HEDRA Commissioner Joe Balsanek stated studies have shown arts are good for students in school.

He suggested that once the car shows can resume, perhaps there could be performance art at the same time with maybe a concert or play at the Pavilion or under the bridge.

He also said Minnesota has more community bands than anyone else in the United States.

Pete Nelson has been in the real estate business since he sold his first home to the Kane’s in June of 1966. They are still enjoying that home and Pete is enjoying 55 years of selling real estate, 25+ for Star Realty. Star Realty honored Pete earlier this summer, Angie Craig and President Trump took the opportunity to congratulate Pete and so are we! Congrats Pete on a long and successful career and thanks for reading the Hastings Journal! Photo by Bruce Karnick