Adding Arts to International Children's Game

For months, local elected officials, artists and economic-development strategists have been discussing Cleveland's need to support and market local arts, boost tourism and make the city more attractive to new residents and businesses. These discussions have included a earlier visit by Carnegie Mellon professor Richard Florida, who has been encouraging communities to tap their creative advantage as a part of their economic development strategy.

A handful of arts leaders has been meeting to discuss creating such a festival as part of the International Children's Games to be held in Cleveland July 30 to Aug. 2, 2004. The hope is that a festival connected to the games, while small at first, may eventually become a major event in its own right.

The idea for the festival grew from the fact that the 35-year-old games are as much a cultural exchange as a sports event. With more than 50 countries to be represented by about 3,000 athletes ages 12-15, much of the games-related activity in Cleveland will have to do with celebrating international ties and national and ethnic cultures - not just the visitors', but also those of Cleveland's diverse population.

The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission plans an extensive international village in downtown Cleveland that will feature the performing and visual arts, food and wares of those cultures.

Looking for synergy by coupling economic development, tourism and the arts is a very logical idea, and one that requires careful planning to be successful. This move in Cleveland is consistent with what many other cities are doing to tap their "creative advantage." While it's a great idea, it must be done right by local planners. Proper funding for the arts festival is needed to make it happen.

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