More than a dozen Downtown Rogers businesses hosted guest artists and showcased their artwork at the inaugural Art on the Bricks event November 9. The monthly art walk will be held on the second Thursday of each month. Participating businesses are mostly located on First, Second and Third Streets as well as Walnut and Elm Streets. This new event is presented by downtown business owners in cooperation with Go Downtown Rogers, Arkansas Public Theatre, Main Street Rogers, Rogers Experimental House, the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce and Visit Rogers. 
Art is Good for Business
Eighty-two percent of Americans believe that the arts add value to the economy and local businesses, according to an Americans for the Arts poll. Another survey by the Conference Board and Americans for the Arts reports that 67 percent of businesses support the arts because of their economic impact. Typical attendees to an arts-focused event spend more than $31 each, not including admission costs. Collectively, consumption by those audiences sends more than $100 billion each year to local businesses in the United States. While supporting arts and culture, audiences also support local eateries of every variety, from fine dining restaurants to food trucks. About 54 cents of every dollar spent goes to culinary experiences.
By supporting arts and culture, chambers of commerce and their partners support restaurants, retailers, and hotels in the communities they serve. And, supporting arts means creating a more vibrant place for people in the community.
Art Enhances the Community
Kathy McClure is among those leading the effort to get the community involved in the event. “Art enhances our community,” said McClure of Gateway Mortgage, which recently relocated to Downtown Rogers. “It makes us humane. Whether watching a show at Arkansas Public Theatre, learning and living history at the Rogers Historical Museum or the Daisy Museum, or immersing oneself into the visual arts at any number of downtown destinations, art makes us better.”
“I am very pleased to be a part of this event,” said artist Carol Hart, who had her work displayed at The Cooking Studio of Downtown Rogers. “Connecting your art with the public is a positive thing. To be able to put art not just in galleries and museums, but in everyday places, is great for Rogers and Northwest Arkansas.”
Photographer Paul Knightly also praised the event, which featured his work at Woof & Wander. “You see a lot of other places do these art walks, and it really helps the development of the downtown area,” Knightly said. “I’m excited to see it grow and get bigger and better moving forward each month.”
Artists and businesses who wish to become a part of future events may find details and applications to participate at godowntownrogers.com/art-on-the-bricks.