What Art Means To A Community
Ann Ormond, Town of Andover
Photo used with permission Ann Ormond
This week we’re discussing the intersection of art and commerce with Andover (MA) Director of Business, Art & Culture Ann Ormond.
Ann Ormond is Director of Business, Arts & Cultural Development for the town of Andover, MA.
She is no stranger to the intersection of art and commerce, having completed a successful tenure in the seacoast community of Newburyport, MA for nearly two decades. While there Ann played an essential role in the development of economic development and cultural commerce which played a major role in uplifting that coastal and industrial community.
Our discussion focused on the importance cultural business plays in the redevelopment and re-definition of communities regardless of socio-economics or other factors. We also discussed steps being taken by Andover to meet their goals, examples to other communities and economic development professionals.
The challenge in Andover is clear: to maintain the community’s wealth and that which makes the community attractive to residential and commercial development. A wealthy community just north of Boston, Andover’s real challenge is retaining and growing the number of young families within its borders. Wealthy communities in the region like Andover are increasingly unaffordable for young professionals. This community is utlizing a variety of smart and progressive means to ensure it is a vibrant, healthy commnunty for generations to come.
Add to that a mandate to enrich the community and downtown development through the arts and cultural (more broadly creative class) businesses that will develop and thrive there. Andover takes the development of cultural business seriously.
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Scott M. Graves is the founder of SMGraves Creative Enterprises. Most recently he was executive director of the Wachusett Business Incubator where the SMG team experimented with various programming to overcome the meaningless ‘ribbon cutting’ experiences so synonymous with much of our nation’s well-intentioned economic development. He is known for a steadfast resolve for intellectual rigor and business strategy. Nothing makes Scott feel more fulfilled than to help other develop their own unique creativity which leads to fulfillment in work and life. His team is currently partnering with The Worcshop, the east coasts largest industrial makerspace to develop the Worc-It Business Lab for incubating new business.
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