On September 21, 2011, Bob Lynch, President of Americans for the Arts Action Fund, had the opportunity to speak in Salt Lake City at an event sponsored by Glenda Bradley at her 15th Street Gallery. The gathering co-presented by the Arts Action Fund, Salt Lake City Art Council, and Salt Lake County also featured Bradley’s husband, Salt Lake County Council Member Jim Bradley - a longtime arts supporter. The event was intimate, drawing supporters and public officials from the Utah arts community. Bob Lynch was gave brief remarks about the Arts Action Fund and ArtsVote2012 during the event which concluded with networking.
An Americans for the Arts honoree, Jim Bradley is currently serving as a Salt Lake County Council Member. In 2010 he was presented with the County Leadership in the Arts Award, awarded by Americans for the Arts in conjunction with the National Association of Counties. A Democrat, he was elected as an At-Large member in 2000 and re-elected in 2006. He previously served as a member of the Salt Lake County Commission from 1991-1994, and in 1996 was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Utah.
Bob Lynch was thrilled to speak in Salt Lake City, which as he mentioned in his remarks has an exceptional arts community and a strong vibrant economy. According to the Americans for the Arts Creative Industries study, Salt Lake County is home to 3,206 arts-related businesses that employ 14,073 people. Arts-centric businesses have been shown to build and sustain economic vibrancy. They employ a creative workforce that spends its money locally, generating more government revenue. These businesses are also a cornerstone of tourism, particularly in a state such as Utah. Creative industries account for 5.34% of businesses in Salt Lake County and 2.7% of its workforce. Glenda Bradley’s space was a perfect example of this arts community.
Bob Lynch and Americans for the Arts Action Fund were honored to be part of showcasing this culturally rich community, and thank the Bradleys, the Salt Lake City Art Council, Salt Lake County, and the Utah arts community for the privilege.
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